"  Autlientio  and  Bieliable,  Instructive  and  Entertaining." 

MODERM   AMERICAN  HEROES 

FOR  BOYS  AND  YOUNG  MEN. 

BT  THK  POPULAR  BIOGRAPHSR, 

REV.   P.   C.   HEADLEY. 


THE  HERO  BOY. 

BEING  THE  LIFE .  AND  DEEDS  OE  LT.-GEN.  "ULYSSES  S.  GRANT, 

THE     PATRIOT     AXD     HERO. 

Tracing  his  career  from  Boyhood  to  Manhood,  from  the  Schoolhouse  to  the  Bat- 
tle Field  and  Victory.     1  vol.,  16mo,  fancy  cloth,  340  pages 
and  nine  illustrations.     Price  $1.50. 

Extract  from  a  letter  recewedfrom  General  Granfs  Father. 

Rev.  p.  C.  Headlkt: 

Dear  Sir — I  have  read  over  carefully  the  Hero  Boy,  written  by  yourself.    It 
is  correct  and  well  written,  with  direct  reference  to  doing  justice  to  all  parties. 

Yours,  most  truly, 

J.   E.  GRANT. 

II. 

THE  P/ITRIOT  BOY. 

BEING   THK 

LIFE  OE  MAJOR-GEN.  0.  M.  MITCHEL,  THE  ASTRONOMER  AND  HERO. 

1  vol.,  16mo,  cloth,  300  pages,  fully  illustrated.    Price  $1.50. 


III. 

THE  MINER  BOY  AMD  HIS  MONITOR. 

BEING  THE  LIEE  OF  CAPTAIN  JOHN  ERICSSON,  THE  INYENTOR, 

DESIGNER  OF  THE  FAMOUS  IRON-CLAD  "  MONITOR,"  ETC. 

A   DEEPLY   INTERESTING    AND   INSTRUCTIVE   BOOK   FOR   BOYS. 

One  volume,  16mo,  fancy  cloth,   300  pages,   fully  illustrated.    Price  $1.50. 


The  above  Biographies  were  written  expressly  for  Boys  and  Young  Men. 
They  are  not  mere  compilations  from  newspapers,  etc.,  but  authentic  histories, 
Mr.  Headlevsljaving  been  furnished  by  the  heroes  in  question,  their  relatives 
and  frien/,;lH»l  the  material  and  facts  necessary  to  make  them  complete  and 
reliable,  iilstTOctive  and  entertaining. 

Additional  volumes  of  the  Series  are  in  preparation,  to  be  published  shortly. 

WM.  H.  APPLETON,  Publisher, 

No.  92  Grand  Street,  New  York. 
For  Sale  ly  all  Booksellers. 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

Boston  Library  Consortium  IVIember  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/minerboyhismonit1865head 


\     a 


THE 


imER  BOY  AND  HIS  MOMTOR; 

OB, 

THE  CAREER  AND  ACHIEVEMENTS 


OF 


JOHN    ERICSSON 


THE    ENGINEER. 


BY 


KEY.  P.  C.  HEADLEY, 

AtrXHOB  OF  "the  HEEO  boy,"  "JOSEPHINE,"  "WOMEN  OF  THE  BIBLE,"  ETC. 


NEW  YORK : 

WILLIAM  H.  APPLETON,  92  GRAND  STREET. 

1865. 


4i) 

we 


O'NEILL  LIBRARY 
BOSTON  COLLEGE 


Entbeed,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1864,  by 

WM.  H.  APPLETON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Ofl3:Ce  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 

Southern  District  of  New  York. 


TO 

THE    COUSINS, 

T.  W.  H.,   AND   I.  H,  B.  H., 

THIS 

STORY    OF   A    BLAMELESS    BOYHOOD, 

ND      A      NOBLY      USEFUL      MANHOOD 

WITH   THE   HOPE   THAT   IT 

MAY    ENCOURAGE    THEM    AND    MANY    OTHEtt 

YOUNG  HEARTS  IN  THEIR  LIFE  WORK, 

IS    INSCRIBED 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


The  authentic  biography  given  in  this  volume 
possesses  unusual  interest,  both  in  regard  to  the  dis- 
tinguished subject  of  it,  and  the  naval  work  of  the 
KSTorth  in  the  great  rebellion.  Without  A^m,  none  can 
tell  what  would  have  been  the  condition  of  the  civil 
conflict  now.  Descriptions  of  scenery,  and  inci- 
dents, with  historical  facts,  have  been  introduced 
to  lend  interest  and  give  clearness  to  the  narrative. 

The  sources  of  information  were  furnished  by 
Captain  Ericsson  in  part.  Mrs.  Bunbury's  "  Travels 
in  Sweden,"  an  old  history  of  the  kingdom,  and 
Abbott's  "  History  of  the  Rebellion,"  were  valuable 
works  of  reference. 

The  career  of  a  remarkable  man,  whose  unri- 


6        .  PEEFACE. 

vailed  success  in  his  department  of  brilliant  inven- 
tion, was  due  mainly  to  intense  and  persevering 
study,  whose  habits  of  sobriety  and  industry  were 
formed  in  boyhood,  is  worthy  of  permanent  record. 

It  may  be  objected  that  failure  has  attended  some 
of  Captain  Ericsson's  expensive  experiments  upon  his 
inventions.  It  would  be  strange,  indeed,  if  none 
of  these,  unequalled  in  number  in  the  history  of  the 
world,  as  the  work  of  a  single  genius,  should  fail 
of  realizing  all  that  the  inventor  hoped  for,  or  even 
yet  may  result  from  them  by  improvement.  Large 
and  small,  in  all  they  amount  to  several  thousands  / 
and  every  ocean,  sea,  and  river  of  the  civilized  world, 
bear  on  their  tides  the  creations  of  his  skill. 

l^ot  only  so,  but  the  improvements  which  have 
been  made  by  engineers  and  mechanics,  and  their 
inventions,  suggested  by  Captain  Ericsson's  manifold 
contributions  to  science,  are  numerous.  The  great 
influence  of  his  genius  in  such  results  cannot  be  esti- 
mated. The  indebtedness  of  the  world  to  his  un- 
wearied activity  in  this  general  impulse  given  to  its 
progress,  lends  peculiar  interest  to  his  name. 

It  has  been  a  pleasing  task  to  collect,  as  far  as 


PREFACE.  7 

possible,  the  records  of  such  a  life,  and  present  them 
to  our  American  youth. 

The  pages  in  the  last  chapters,  not  directly  con- 
nected with  the  personal  history  of  Captain  Ericsson, 
are  added  to  lend  interest  to  the  grand  field  of  his 
inventions,  and  to  give  place,  in  part  at  least,  here- 
after, to  facts  v/hich  will  accumulate  in  the  future 
of  his  eventful  life. 

May  the  young  reader,  whether  native-bom 
American  or  adopted  citizen,  be  encouraged  by  it 
to  make  his  life  and  memory  a  blessing  to  the 
race  through  honorable  toil ;  and  exert  an  influence 
while  living,  and  when  dead,  pure  and  hallowed  on 
those  that  labor  with  and  after  him,  to  elevate  and 
save  mankind. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTEE  I. 

PAGE 

The  Victories  of  Peace — ^A  rare  History — Sweden— Its  Early  History— Na- 
tional Eeligion — Scenery— Curious  Customs — Summer  and  "Winter — 
Old  People — The  birth-place  of  Captain  Ericsson— His  earliest  Exhi- 
bitions of  Genius— Jule-Afton, 13 

CHAPTEE  II. 

The  Boy-Mechanio— The  Bride's  Eeception— Count  Flatten— His  Ship  Ca- 
nal— The  interview  with  Bemadotte  —  The  Boy  —  Cadet  —  Engi- 
neer-Lieutenant,    82 

CHAPTEE  III. 

The  King's  Surveyor— The  young  Lieutenant's  Examination— The  Appoint- 
ment— Eomantic  Service— Other  Labors— Fulton  and  Ericsson— The 
Flame  Engine— The  Wooden  Eailroad— The  Locomotive — The  Exciting 
Eace, 45 

.      CHAPTEE  IV. 

Disappointment— Not  Discouraged— The  Invention  doing  good— The  Steam 
Fire-Engine- A  Fire— Another  Conflagration— The  Gold  Medal— Va- 

rioTisInventions-Ships— Steamers, 56 

1* 


10  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE  V. 

PAOS 

The  New  Wonder— Birds  tlie  Inventor's  Instructors — The  Miniatnre  Ship 

and  Sea— The  Noiseless  Triumph, 64 

CHAPTEE  VI. 

What  is  a  Propeller  ? — ^Building  a  Ship — The  next  Toy  of  genius — The 
"Plying  Devil" — Unwise  Great  Men — The  Excursion— The  Disap- 
pointment,       ....    71 

CHAPTEE  VII. 

The  Sublimely  Confident  Spirii^The  Letter— The  Eesult-The  Mystery— 
Its  Solution— The  fresh  display  of  Wisdom  by  the  Admiralty — The 
Engineering  Corps— The  Swede  and  his  American  Friends,     .       .       .84 

CHAPTEE  VIII. 

Captain  Stockton  and  the  Naval  Department  of  the  United  States — The 
new  War- Vessel— The  Privateer  la  New  York  Bay — The  Eace — The 
marvels  of  the  Victor, 91 

CHAPTEE  IX. 

What  Captain  Stockton  says  of  the  Ship — The  Mysterious  Warrior— The 
Peaceful  Work  of  the  Propeller—What  it  is  doing  now,  ....  100 

CHAPTEE  X. 

The  Congressional  Excursion  on  board  the  Princeton— The  Captain  and 
his  Ship — Coronation  Dinner— The  Second  Excursion—The  Terrible 
Accident— The  Cause  of  it lOT 

CHAPTEE  XI. 

A  new  Field  of  Invention— The  Wakeful  and  Working  G-enius  taught  afresh 
by  the  Divine  Law  in  Nature— The  Caloric  Engine— The  Wise  Men 
of  England  again— The  Present  and  Future  of  Motive  Powers— The 
Propeller  is  a  success !      .       , ♦     116 


CONTENTS.  11 


CHAPTER  XII. 

PAGB 

The  Inventor's  Inventions— He  is  sure  of  Success  with  his  Caloric  Engine — 
The  Improvements — The  Brilliant  Achievements  in  America — The 
Trial-trip— The  Engine  a  Worker  Still— Its  Future,         .       .       .       .127 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  Eebellion — Revolutions  in  Sweden— Outbreaks  in  the  United  States — 
Our  Army  and  Navy — Captain  Ericsson  when  the  Civil  "War  opened,    .  138 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  "Merchant  Prince" — His  Interview  with  Captain  Ericsson— The  In- 
ventor and  the  Naval  Department — The  Mysterious  Box— On  the  way 
to  'Washington — Its  fortunes  there,     ....  ...  158 

CHAPTER  XY. 
The  Great  Decision — ^Ratified  by  Congress — The  Contract— Its  strictness 
alarms  the  Money  Kings— The  Monitor  is  begun— The  Builders  and  its 
Building— The  Iron- works — The  Strange  Craft  completed,      .        .        .165 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

"What  Visitors  said  of  the  Monitor— The  Launch— A  Memorable  Day — The 
Completed  "Work— The  Vessel  manned  and  at  Sea — The  Voyage— The 
Naval  Position— The  Crisis, 179 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  Merrimac  leaves  her  Moorings — The  Jamestown  and  Torktown— The 
Naval  Raid — The  Fearful   Struggle — Undying   Heroism — The  Ocean 
Scene  of  Destruction— The  Closing  Day, 186 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  Monitor's  Voyage— The  Night  Grlimpse  of  Her  arrival  by  the  Anxious 
Garrison — The  Impressions  of  an  Eye-witness — The  Morning  Scenes — 
The  Awful  Interest  felt  in  the  Battery— The  Wonderful  Providence— 
The  Sabbath— The  Combat, 205 


12  CONTENTS. 


GHAPTEE  XIX. 

PASS 

A  Visit  to  the  Dictator— First  Impressions — The  Leviathan  in  repose — ^The 
Turret :  how  it  was  moved  jfrom  the  Iron  "Works — The  Machinery — The    ■ 
Officers'  Quarters — The  fighting  qualities  of  the  Dictator— Her  Equip- 
ment and  appearance  at  Sea, 225 

OHAPTEE  XX 

The  Propeller  in  the  Navy — ^The  interesting  variety  of  Names — The  Pay 
of  Officers  and  Men — The  Stromholi— ^The  new  Cassabianca,   .       .       .  243 

CHAPTEE  XXI. 

Our  Knowledge  of  the  Sea— Curious  Traditions— The  "World  of  Waters"— 
Eobert  Pulton  and  John  Ericsson — The  Future — Great  Battles— The 
Mother's  Lament, 265 


CHAPTER  I. 


The  Victories  of  Peace— A  rare  History— Sweden— Itsi  Early  History— National 
Eeligion — Scenery — Curious  Customs — Summer  and  Winter- Old  People — 
The  birth-place  of  Captain  Ericsson— His  earliest  Exhibitions  of  Genius— 
Jule-Afton. 


\Y  young  reader,  you  have  heard  the  truthful 
words, "  peace  has  her  triumphs  no  less  renowned 
than  war."  They  are  quiet,  like  the  work  of  God 
continually;  but  no  less  sublime  than  the  vic- 
tories of  a  just  cause  on  the  crimson  field  of 
battle.  In  the  life  of  Captain  John  Ericsson  you  will 
have  a  very  wonderful  illustration  of  Hfe's  noiseless  con- 
flicts and  conquests.  History  can  furnish  nothing  that 
surpasses  it.  All  lands  and  waters  have  the  splendid 
miemorials  of  triumphant  invention,  overcoming  or  using 
the  forces  of  nature  in  the  world's  progress.  But  before 
we  follow  the  conqueror — the  miner-boy  from  his  moun^ 
"tain  seclusion  to  the  great  metropolis  of  the  Western  Con- 
tinent— ^I  will  take  you  to  his  native  land,  and  give  you  a 
glimpse  of  its  scenes  and  scenery.     Sweden !  what  can 


14  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

you  tell  me  of  this  land  of  the  cold  North — ^the  birth- 
place of  many  distinguished  men — the  early  home  of  John 
Ericsson  ? 

Who  reigned  over  the  Hebrew  nation  when  Christ  was 
born  ? 

"  The  Romans,"  you  answer.  And  they  caUed  that 
country  Scandinavia,  then  a  pagan  realm  like  their  own. 
The  people  gave  it  the  name  of  Swerige,  or  Sweriket. 
Before  the  reign  of  Odin,  the  mighty  conqueror  of  north- 
ern Europe,  it  was  known  as  Jothland,  and  the  inhabitants 
called  Jothar.  From  those  words  came  Gothland  and 
Goths.  In  the  ancient  time  singular  titles  were  often  given 
to  the  kings,  to  indicate  some  peculiar  fact  in  their  history. 
About  eight  hundred  years  after  the  Saviour's  advent, 
Olaf,  the  Woodcutter,  was  driven  from  the  throne.  In 
the  year  830,  St.  Ascanius,  a  zealous  monk,  visited 
Sweden  and  preached  the  Eoman  Catholic  faith  in  the 
presence  of  the  king,  Biorn,  of  the  Hill.  He  made  some 
converts  from  paganism ;  but  not  until  the  year  1000,  in 
the  reign  of  Olaf,  Kot-Konung,  that  is,  the  lap-king,  be- 
cause he  received  royal  homage  while  an  infant,  was 
heathenism  fairly  supplanted  by  Christianity,  itself  al- 
ready corrupt  in  form.  Olaf  was  baptized,  and  made 
the  new  religion  that  of  the  State.  Still  idolatry  of  the 
past  ages  continued  to  linger  among  the  wild  valleys  of 
Sweden.  For  three  long  centuries  after,  the  Goths  and 
Swedes  quarrelled  for  the  supremacy.     But  they  became 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  15 

gradually  more  united,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
twelfth  century  were  prosperous  under  Magnus  Sodulas, 
or  Barnlock,  receiving  the  last  title  because  he  guarded 
so  well  the  people's  granaries. 

Before  the  Catholic  faith  prevailed,  during  the  long 
ages,  the  people  had  a  very  singular  way  of  crowning 
their  kings.  When  a  new  prince  was  to  take  the  vacant 
throne,  he  must  come  before  it,  and  looking  on  the  wait- 
ing seat  of  royalty,  go  away  and  perform  some  deed  of 
valor,  then  drink  his  libation  from  a  skull,  which  was  the 
evidence  of  his  heroism.'  This  entitled  him  to  the  sceptre. 
The  Roman  pontiffs  introduced  the  splendid  ceremony  of 
coronation. 

After  bloody  revolutions,  G-ustavus  Ericsson  became 
the  conqueror  of  the  kingdom,  and  the  inhabitants  offered 
him  the  crown.  This  was  at  the  commencement  of 
the  fifteenth  century.  You  know  at  that  time  Martin 
Luther  was  making  pope  and  cardinals  tremble  before  his 
eloquent  preaching  of  the  truth.  The  great  Reformation 
was  sweeping  like  a  flood  over  the  plains,  around 
the  papal  altars.  The  king  made  inquiry  into  the  new 
faith,  and  determined  to  let  it  come  into  Sweden  just  as 
Luther  proclaimed  it.  The  church  already  formed,  and 
called  after  the  converted  and  wonderM  monk,  Lutheran, 
had  its  own  peculiar  forms.  It  was  a  little  Catholic  still 
in  ritual  service,  for  to  reform  the  old  system  was  all  he 
hoped  to  do. 


16  LIFE   OF  JOHN  EEICSSOI?^. 

In  1593  the  Lutheran  church  was  declared,  by  the 
Synod  of  Upsal,  to  be  the  State  religion.  You  know 
what  this  is?  The  church  is  joined  to,  and  becomes  de- 
pendent on,  the  State.  The  royal  support  is  given  to  it. 
It  will  be  better  understood  when  I  tell  you  what  the  laws 
of  Sweden  required.  A  subject  was  banished  if  he 
changed  his  religion.  The  same  penalty  was  inflicted 
upon  any  person  who  introduced  a  new  system  of  belief. 
Strangers  could  not  worship  in  any  other  forms  but  the 
Lutheran  in  public.  It  is  true  that  foreign  ministers  and 
their  families  were  let  alone,  because  it  would  not  do  to 
touch  the  officers  of  other  royal  courts.  The  expansive 
mind  of  Ericsson,  as  you  will  learn,  preferred  the  larger 
liberty  of  this  Republic,  although  great  changes  have 
occurred  in  the  progress  of  Christianity  in  his  native  land. 
Whenever  Christianity  is  made  to  lean  on  the  civil  arm 
for  support,  receiving  gifts  and  honor  jfrom  the  State,  it 
becomes  formal.  No  nation  can  be  truly  prosperous  with- 
out the  power  of  the  church,  the  influence  of  Christian 
people  and  worship.  But  the  divine  institution  should 
never  be  married  to  the  State.  "We  glory  in  the  separate 
existence  of  the  two  in  our  country.  Like  Revolutionary 
France,  so  often  rolling  her  garments  in  her  own  blood, 
we  shall  be  wrecked  without  a  living  Protestant  church  ; 
stiU  it  is,  and  must  be,  independent  of  the  patronage  of 
the  Government.  The  Lutheran  worship  in  Sweden  is 
too  lifeless,  and  the  spiritual  good  of  the  people  is  neglect- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  17 

ed  in  the  routine  of  prescribed  public  duties.  The  clergy 
are,  many  of  them,  lovers  of  money  and  ease. 

Norway  was  united  to  Sweden  in  1814,  and  in  a 
strange  way.  Monarchs  are  usually  royal  robbers. 
When  England  and  Russia  entered  the  coalition  against 
Napoleon,  the  autocrat  agreed  to  give  Sweden  Norway, 
if  she  would  join  them.  After  an  indignant  protest,,  and 
some  fighting,  the  gift  was  secured. 

The  population  of  the  kingdom  is  divided  into  four 
classes  :  the  nobility  numbering  11,000  ;  the  state  clergy, 
of  whom  there  are  15,000  ;  the  burghers,  or  mechanics 
and  others  who  hold  property  to  a  considerable  amount, 
whose  number  is  70,000  ;  and  the  peasants  or  poorest 
class,  who  form  the  largest  part  of  the  population, 
2,800,000.  The  Government  is  a  limited  monarchy ; 
the  king  is  the  state,  having  well-nigh  supreme  power, 
notwithstanding  .his  council.  When  he  goes  to  Norway, 
a  regency  of  five  higb  ofiicials  rules  till  he  returns. 
When  he  leaves  both  the  countries,  five  more  are  added 
from  Norway  to  the  king's  representatives  in  power. 
Charles  XIV.,  the  son  of  Oscar  I.,  and  grandson  of  Ber- 
nadotte,  is  now  the  sovereign.  And  within  the  last  half 
century  very  great  progress  has  been  made  in  the  freedom 
of  religious  belief  and  worship,  in  temperance,  and  in 
every  department  of  popular  reform  and  progress. 

Nature  is  wonderfully  varied  in  her  aspect  in  Sweden. 
The  scenery  is  constantly  changing  before  the  delighted 


18  LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON. 

traveller's  eye.  Let  us  imagine  that  we  are  in  one  of  the 
broad,  hard  roads  of  Sweden,  which  wind  always  in  a 
serpentine  course  among  the  summits,  travelling  toward 
the  romantic  home  of  John  Ericsson,  of  which  I  will  tell 
you  more  soon.  Now,  look  upward  to  the  dark,  over- 
hanging rocks,  forming  a  gigantic,  threatening  roof!  It 
is  grand  and  gloomy ;  but  you  need  not  fear.  The  loose 
fragments  are  removed,  and  solid  granite  arches  your 
way.  Glance  down  to  that  sweet  meadow-land  smiling 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  highway,  right  in  the  face  of 
the  stern,  unchanging  sentinel.  But  granite  pile  and 
verdant  field  are  gone,  and  we  are  in  the  deep  forest  of 
pines.  The  solid  pathway  is  fairly  walled  in  with  the 
dense  and  sombre  woods.  How  still  and  solitary !  A 
belt  of  blue  sky  is  above,  and  that  is  aU  beside  the 
funereal  shadow  and  music  of  the  pine  trees.  See  the 
sunlight  yonder  !  Beautifol  surprise  !  Green, fields  and 
grazing  flocks  greet  the  vision.  It  is  like  passing  at  a 
single  step  from  the  cemetery  to  the  garden — from  night 
to  morning.  Curiously  stand  the  cottages  on  those  sand- 
hills rising  from  the  rural  scene,  on  the  brows  of  which 
"  the  wind  agitates  a  few  scattered  pines."  A  bold  and 
bald  mountain  leans  against  the  sky  just  beyond.  We 
will  turn  aside  and  climb  to  its  top.  Is  it  not  an  im- 
pressively beautiful  prospect  now?  The  vast  forest — the 
embosomed,  placid  lake — the  clearings,  on  which  nestles 
hamlets  and  cluster  flocks  and  herds,  with  no  sound  of 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  19 

railroad  cars  or  pufRng  steamers  to  break  the  deep 
silence — make  a  scene  we  shall  never  forget.  In » the 
winter  it  is  all  evergreen  woods  and  dazzling  snow,  re- 
lieved by  the  homes  of  the  people  half-buried  in  the 
silver  mantle. 

Two  things  you  will  admire  in  Sweden  if  you  are  like 
a  boy  I  know ;  there  are  no  venomous  snakes,  or  reptiles 
of  any  kind,  and  it  almost  never  thunders.  There  are 
other  things  you  would  enjoy.  The  excellent  fishing 
which  the  rapid  and  abundant  streams  afford,  and  the 
custom  of  riding  the  small  horses  or  driving  them  before 
the  sledges,  which  is  common  among  the  very  children ; 
and  the  skating  and  coasting  for  more  than  half  the  year. 

You  will  be  amused  with  the  national  dress  still  seen 
in  Sweden,  which  was  established  by  law  in  1777,  to  pre- 
vent extravagance  and  luxmy.  The  men,  according  to 
the  statute,  must  wear  a  close  coat,  wide  breeches,  a  gir- 
dle round  the  waist,  a  round  hat,  strings  in  the  shoes,  and 
over  all,  a  cloak.  The  color  was  black.  The  women 
could  wear  a  black  robe,  puffed  gauze  sleeves,  colored 
sash  and  ribbons.  The  court  dress  required  white  gauze 
sleeves. 

It  seems  quite  ludicrous  for  kings  and  their  council- 
lors to  make  laws  regulating  a  lady's  toilet.  But  the 
object  was  to  cultivate  simplicity  in  all  the  habits  of  the 
people,  while  at  the  same  time  there  was  really  no  small 
degree  of  taste  displayed. 


20  LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON. 

The  winters  are  long  and  bitterly  cold-^that  is  to  say, 
generally  so  ;  and  this  is  the  kind  the  people  prefer.  To 
show  you  how  they  feel  about  it,  listen  to  a  conversation 

Mrs.  B ,  a  traveller,  had  with  a  Swede.     She  went 

to  the  kingdom  to  spend  the  winter. 

"  I  hope,  madam,  we  shall  have  a  good  winter." 

"  What  do  you  mean  hj  good  f  " 

"  Plenty  of  snow  and  ice.  The  frost  should  come 
first ;  then  the  ice,  and  then  frost  again,  and  so  on.  Grood, 
when  it — what  do  you  call  this  ?"  (moving  a  creaking  boat 
over  the  floor.) 

"  GracMes?'' 

'•  Yes,  that  is  it.  "When  the  snow  cracMes  from  Oc- 
tober to  April. ^^ 

The  sledges  fly,  and  the  bright  Aurora  Borealis,  or 
the  moon,  light  them  over  the  hills  and  plains ;  for  the 
sun  rises  in  midwinter  at  10  o'clock,  and  sets  about  2 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Short  days,  you  will  say.  Yes, 
but  the  people  make  day  of  night,  as  you  will  learn  in 
the  story  of  our  Swedish  engineer. 

The  summers  are  brief  enough,  and  very  warm. 
Spring  and  autumn  are  scarcely  thought  of  as  such,  in 
the  sudden  change  to  and  from  the  vernal  or  autumnal 
period.  Soon  as  the  deep  covering  of  snow  and  ice  is 
removed  by  the  heat  of  the  sun  the  flowers  appear,  and 
the  verdure  hastens  to  perfection.  A  few  months  of 
brightness  and  bloom  pass,   and  again,  almost  without 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  21 

warning,  the  wild  storms  of  sleet  and  snow  come  down 
from  the  rugged  mountains.  They  not  unfrequently  beat 
upon  the  green  leaves  of  the  beech  and  birch,  mantling 
with  white  the  solemn  pines  and  firs,  till  the  buried  earth 
in  the  dim  air  seems  haunted  with  unearthly  forms  abroad 
on  hillside  and  in  the  valley.  The  air  is  sharp  and  pure. 
Sweden  is  a  very  healthy  country.  The  hardy,  honest, 
staid  people,  live  to  a  hale  old  age.  In  1790  a  census 
showed  that  during  ten  years  there  had  been  two  persons, 
one  of  whom  was  127,  the  other  122  years  of  age  ;  forty- 
one  between  111  and  120 ;  sixty-seven  between  106  and 
110  ;  three  hundred  and  forty  between  100  and  108  ;  five 
thousand  five  hundred  and  seventy-six  over  90  years  old. 
What  other  nation  can  show  such  a  health  table  ? 

"  Isn't  that  remarkable  ?  I  should  think  people  would 
go  from  other  countries  to  live  in  Sweden,"  exclaimed  a 
lad  of  a  dozen  years  when  I  told  this  story. 

"Yes,"  was  the  answer,  "if  long  life  is  the  only 
object  of  desire.  The  Dalecarlians  are  seldom  sick,  and 
very  vigorous  to  an  advanced  age.  But  they  live  with 
great  simplicity.  Their  food  is  often  nuts  ground  with 
bark,  and  the  plainest  soups.  The  people  of  this  country 
die  young,  because  we  live  too  fast.  We  eat  too  much, 
and  too  great  a  variety,  and  are  always  in  a  hurry.  The 
aged  people  are  becoming  fewer  apparently  every  year." 

This  reply  made  the  young  gentleman  look  sober, 
throw  back  his   rounding   shoulders,   and,  I  hope,  im 


22  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

pressed  him  with  the  guilt  and  peril  of  ahusina  even  the 
body.  And  here  I  will  add  a  very  lively  sketch  of 
"  Rural  life  in  Sweden"  in  summer  time,  by  a  modern 
traveller,  and  a  great  American  poet,  Longfellow. 

"  There  is  something  patriarchal  still  lingering  about 
rural  life  in  Sweden  which  renders  it  a  fit  theme  for  song. 
Almost  primeval  simplicity  reigns  over  that  northern 
land — almost  primeval  solitude  and  stillness.  You  pass 
out  from  the  gate  of  the  city,  and  as  if  by  magic,  to  a 
wild  woodland  landscape.  Around  you  are  forests  of 
fir — overhead  hang  the  long  fan-like  branches,  trailing 
with  moss,  and  heavy  with  red  and  blue  cones — ^under 
foot  is  a  carpet  of  yellow  leaves,  and  the  air  is  warm  and 
balmy.  On  a  wood  bridge  you  cross  a  little  silver  stream, 
and  anon  come  forth  into  a  pleasant  and  sunny  land  of 
farms  ;  wooden  fences  divide  the  adjoining  fields.  Across 
the  road  are  gates,  which  are  opened  by  troops  of  children. 
The  peasants  take  off  their  hats  as  you  pass.  You  sneeze, 
and  they  cry  '  God  bless  you.'  The  houses  in  the  villages 
and  smaller  towns  are  built  of  hewn  timber,  and  for  the 
most  part  painted  red.  The  floors  of  the  taverns  are 
strewn  with  the  fragrant  tips  of  fir  boughs.  In  many 
towns  there  are  no  taverns,  and  the  peasants  take  turns 
in  receiving  travellers.  The  thrifty  housewife  shows  you 
into  the  best  chamber,  the  walls  of  which  are  hung  round 
with  rude  pictures  from  the  Bible,  and  brings  you  her 
heavy  silver  spoons — an  heir-loom — ^to  dip  the  curdled 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  23 

milk  from  the  pan.  You  have  oaten  cakes  baked  some 
months  before ;  or  bread  with  anise  seed  and  coriander 
in  it,  perhaps  a  little  pine  bark.  Meanwhile  the  sturd}* 
farmer  has  brought  his  horses  from  the  plough,  and  har- 
nessed them  to  your  carriage.  Solitary  travellers  come 
and  go  in  uncouth  one-horse  chaises.  Most  of  them  have 
pipes  in  their  mouths,  and,  hanging  round  their  necks  in 
front,  leather  wallets,  in  which  they  carry  tobacco,  and 
the  great  bank  notes  of  the  country,  as  large  as  your  two 
hands.  You  meet,  also,  groups  of  Dalecarlian  peasant- 
women,  travelling  homeward,  or  townward,  in  pursuit  of 
work.  They  walk  barefooted,  carrying  in  their  hands 
their  shoes,  which  have  high  heels  in  the  hollow,  and 
soles  of  birch  bark.  Frequent,  too,  are  the  village 
churches,  standing  by  the  roadside,  each  in  its  little  gar- 
den of  Gethsemane.  In  the  parish  register  great  events 
are  doubtless  recorded.  Some  old  king  was  christened 
or  buried  in  that  church  ;  and  a  little  sexton  with  a  rusty 
key  shows  you  the  baptismal  font  or  the  coffin.  In  the 
churchyard  are  a  few  flowers,  and  much  green  grass ; 
and  daily  the  shadow  of  the  church  spire,  with  its  long 
tapering  finger,  counts  the  tombs  representing  a  dial  plate 
of  human  life,  on  which  the  hours  and  minutes  are  the 
graves  of  men.  The  stones  are  large  and  flat  and  low, 
and  perhaps  sunken  like  the  roofs  of  old  houses.  On 
some  are  armorial  bearings,  on  others  the  initials  of  the 
poor  tenants,  with  a  date,  as  on  the  roofs  of  Dutch  cot- 


24  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSOlSr. 

tages.  Nor  must  I  forget  the  suddenly  changing  seasons 
of  the  northern  clime.  There  is  no  long  and  lingering 
spring,  unfolding  leaf  and  blossom  one  by  one ;  no  long 
and  lingering  autumn,  pompous  with  many  colored  leaves, 
and  the  glow  of  Indian  summer.  But  summer  and  win- 
ter are  wonderful,  and  pass  into  each  other.  The  quail 
has  hardly  ceased  piping  in  the  corn,  when  winter  from 
the  folds  of  trailing  clouds,  sows  broadcast  over  the  land 
snow,  icicles,  and  rattling  hail.  The  days  wane  apace. 
Ere  long  the  sun  hardly  rises  above  the  horizon  at  all. 
The  moon  and  the  stars  shine  through  the  day ;  only,  at 
noon,  they  are  pale  and  wan,  and  in  the  southern  sky  a 
red  fiery  glow,  as  of  sunset,  burns  along  the  horizon,  and 
then  goes  out,  and  pleasantly  under  the  silver  moon,  and 
under  the  silent,  solemn  stars,  ring  the  steel  shoes  of  the 
sliaters  on  the  frozen  sea,  and  voices,  and  the  sound  of 
bells.  And  now  the  northern  lights  begin  to  burn,  faintly 
at  first,  like  sunbeams  playing  in  the  waters  of  the  blue 
sea.  Then  a  soft  crimson  glow  tinges  the  heavens. 
There  is  a  blush  on  the  cheek  of  night.  The  colors 
come  and  go,  and  change  from  crimson  to  gold,  from 
gold  to  crimson.  The  snow  is  stained  with  rosy  Kght. 
Twofold  from  the  zenith,  east  and  west,  flames  a  fiery 
sword  and  a  broad  band  passes  athwart  the  heavens,  like 
a  summer  sunset.  Soft,  purple  clouds  come  sailing  over 
the  sky,  and  through  these  vapory  folds  the  winking  stars 
shine  white  as  silver.     With  such  pomp  as  this  is  merry 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON".  25 

Christmas  usliered  in,  though  only  a  single  star  heralded 
the  first  Christmas.  And  in  memory  of  that  day  the 
Swedish  peasants  dance  on  straw,  and  the  peasant  girls 
throw  straw  at  the  timbered  roof  of  the  hall,  and  for 
every  one  that  sticks  in  a  crack  shall  a  groomsman  come 
to  their  wedding. 

"  And  now  the  glad,  leafy  midsummer,  full  of  blossoms 
and  the  song  of  nightingales,  is  come  !  Saint  John  has 
taken  the  flowers  and  festival  of  heathen  Balder  ;  and  in 
every  village  there  is  a  May-pole  fifty  feet  high,  with 
wreaths,  and  roses,  and  ribbons,  streaming  in  the  wind, 
and  a  noisy  weathercock  on  top,  to  tell  the  village  whence 
the  vsdnd  cometh  and  whither  it  goeth.  The  sun  does  not 
set  till  ten  o'clock  at  night ;  and  the  children  are  at  play 
in  the  streets  an  hour  later.  The  windows  and  doors  are 
all  open,  and  you  may  sit  and  read  tiU  midnight  without 
a  candle.  O,  how  beautiful  is  the  summer  night  which 
is  not' night,  but  a  sunless,  yet  unclouded  day,  descending 
upon  ea.rth  with  dews,  and  shadows,  and  refreshing  cool- 
ness !  How  beautiful  the  long,  mild  twilight,  which,  like 
a  silver  clasp,  unites  to-day  with  yesterday  !  How  beau- 
tiftd  the  silent  hour,  when  morning  and  evening  thus  sit 
together,  hand  in  hand,  beneath  the  starless  sky  of  mid- 
night ! 

"  From  the  church  tower  in  the  public  square  the  bell 
tolls  the  hour,  with  a  soft  musical  chime  ;  and  the  watch- 
man, whose  watchtower  is  the  belfry,  blows  a  blast  in  his 


26  LIFE   OF   JOHI^    EEICSSON. 

horn  for  each  stroke  of  the  hammer  ;  and  four  times  to 
the  four  corners  of  the  heavens,  in  a  sonorous  voice,  he 
chants — 

'  Ho  !  watchman,  ho ! 
Twelve  is  the  clock  ! 
God  keeps  our  town 
From  fire  and  brand 
And  hostile  hand ! 
Twelve  is  the  clock ! ' 

From  his  swallow's  nest  in  the  belfry  he  can  see  the  sun 
all  night  long ;  and  further  north  the  priest  stands  at  his 
door  in  the  warm  midnight,  and  lights  his  pipe  with  a 
common  burning-glass. " 

Among  the  great  men  of  Sweden  are  the  splendid 
names  of  Gustavus  Adolphus,  the  gifted  and  excellent 
sovereign,  who  was  the  friend  of  the  Protestants,  and 
Linnaeus,  the  prince  of  botanists.  There  are  others  in 
science  and  in  the  state  which  would  honor  any  land. 
No  Swedish  name  of  modern  times  is  more  widely 
known  than  that  of  John  Ericsson.  Whether  the  king 
Ericsson,  three  centuries  ago,  was  a  distant  relative  or 
not,  we  cannot  tell.  But  make  a  journey  over  the  sea  to 
the  southern  part  of  Sweden,  called  Gothland.  In  the 
province  of  Wermeland,  or  Yermeland,  as  it  is  also 
spelled,  are  romantic  mountains,  in  whose  sides  are  mines 
of  iron.  Sweden  has  many  deep,  dark  caverns,  often 
several  hundred  feet  in  depth,  which  the  miner  has  dug 


LIFE    OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  27 

after  gold,  silver,  and  ii'on.  There,  before  a  railroad  was 
built,  or  a  steamer  ploughed  river  or  ocean,  lived  quietly 
and  prosperous  in  his  business,  a  proprietor  of  some  of 
these  subterranean  treasures.  His  name  was  Ericsson. 
He  had  a  son  John,  born  in  sunny  June  in  1803.  When 
only  three  or  four  years  old  he  showed  genius  for  draw- 
ing ;  surprising  his  friends  with  the  childish  exhibitions 
of  his  mental  bias.  Though  genius  without  patient  study 
and  high  qualities  of  character,  is  worse  than  useless — a 
dangerous  possession,  John  was  evidently  endowed  with 
rare  gifts.  Providence  had  given  him  a  remarkable  in- 
tellect, and  a  prominent  place  in  the  world's  progress  and 
a  nation's  deliverance  from  threatened  ruin. 

While  other  children  of  his  age  were  playing  with 
the  common  toys,  he  was  watching  the  machinery  of  the 
mines,  and  with  pencil  or  penknife  was  marking  or  cut- 
ting his  little  copies  of  what  he  had  seen.  Those  mining 
localities  are  very  singular  places.  When  you  visit  them, 
your  way  among  gloomy  summits  will  open  into  a  se- 
cluded vaUey  or  terrace  of  mountain-side,  and  right 
before  you  stand  the  grim  flaming  iron  works.  Near  by 
are  the  mouths  or  openings  of  the  mines,  through  which 
the  valuable  ore  is  sent  to  the  light  of  day.  Around  the 
"works"  are  the  humble  habitations  of  the  workmen. 
Half  a  century  ago  you  might  have  seen  John,  a  quiet 
child  of  half  a  dozen  years,  watching  the  movements  of 
machinery  contrived  by  the  finest  engineers,  and  prying 


28  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

into  the  mechamsm.  Then  with  book  and  pencil,  sitting 
down  in  the  furnace -light,  he  would  study  the  diagrams 
tiU  he  had  mastered  the  principles  they  presented  to  his 
inquiring  mind.  Although  he  cared  not  much  for  the 
common  pastimes  of  young  persons,  he  kept  and  enjoyed 
of  com-se,  with  everybody  else  in  Sweden,  "  Jule-Afton  ;'* 
pronounced  Yule-Afton. 

And  what  is  that  ?  you  ask.  The  word  means  Christ- 
mas Eve  ;  also  used  to  express  Christmas  supper.  And 
Christmas,  you  may  know,  is  from  Christ-mass — a  Cath- 
oHc  service  on  the  25th  of  December,  which,  it  is  sup- 
posed, is  the  time  when  at  dead  of  night  the  sky  and  hills 
of  Judea  were  filled  with  heavenly  music,  because  Jesus 
was  born  ;  and  a  strange,  glorious  radiance  flooded  all  the 
landscape. 

In  Sweden,  and  everywhere  in  Christian  lands  where 
it  is  regarded,  it  is  merely  a  hoKday.  If  there  is  public 
worship,  it  comes  in  as  a  ceremony  rather  than  a  loving 
remembrance  of  the  Saviour,  the  Great  Benefactor  of  the 
world,  the  suffering  Redeemer  of  a  disloyal  race. 

Nowhere  is  this  anniversary  more  generally  observed 
than  in  "Wermeland,  the  native  province  of  John  Ericsson. 
It  is  ushered  in  by  a  short  religious  service  at  6  o'clock 
in  the  evening.  Then  look  toward  the  market-place. 
Over  the  crisp  snow  the  people  are  moving  from  their 
homes.  Every  lady  has  a  lantern  carried  before  her  by 
an  attendant,  or  in  her  own  hand.     No  woman  is  seen 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  29 

abroad  after  dark  without  one.  The  windows  of  the 
houses  are  ablaze  witb  the  Christmas  flames.  Enter  the 
market,  and  amid  the  curious  variety  of  articles  for  the 
season  stand  the  yule  trees,  the  little  pines  and  firs,  you 
know  for  what  use.  But  how  still  the  crowd  is — nobody 
talks  or  laughs  loud.  This  is  the  habit  in  Sweden.  Then 
comes  a  supper  of  grot  and  luke  fish ;  the  former  boiled 
rice,  milk,  and  sugar,  and  the  other  dish,  2i  fishy  prep- 
aration which  has  a  very  strong  odor.     After  supper  the 

children  kiss  their  parents'  hands.     Mrs.  B ,  who 

was  there  only  a  few  years  since,  met  one  of  John's 
Wermeland  countrymen,  who  said  of  Jule-Afton : 

"  It  is  a  joyful  time  for  beasts  and  birds." 

"  Beasts  and  birds  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  it  certainly  is.  At  harvest  time  the  yule- 
sheaf  is  put  unthreshed  away  at  every  farmhouse,  and  on 
Christmas  eve  it  is  hung  out  on  a  high  pole  near  the  farm- 
er's door  for  the  famishing  birds  to  make  their  Jule-Afton. 
If  the  yule-sheaf  were  not  seen  there,  the  people  would 
believe  that  the  farmer  would  have  a  poor  season.  They 
would  think  him  a  hard  man,  and  not  like  to  help  him." 

"  And  pray  how  do  they  manage  for  the  beasts  ?  " 

"  They  give  a  double  portion  to  them,  and  say  :  '  Eat 
well  my  good  beasts,  and  thrive  well,  for  this  is  Jule- 
Afton.'  And  the  yule-board  \ov  table)  is  spread  with 
twice  the  usual  food." 

The  morning  comes,  but  not  the  daylight.     It  is  six 


30  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EETCSSON. 

o'clock,  and  the  stars  are  clear  and  sparkling.  The 
houses  are  illuminated,  and  the  old  and  young  are  hasten- 
ing wrapped  in  furs  to  the  chui'ches.  These  are  really 
trimmed  with  candles,  as  ours  sometimes  are  with  ever- 
greens, making  a  very  novel  appearance  ;  the  rows  and 
rings  of  light  almost  bewilder  you. 

This  Jule-Otte,  that  is,  Christmas  morning,  is  from 
three  o'clock  to  six ;  and  the  Otte  song  is  the  early  re- 
ligious service.  In  the  country  around  John's  home  the 
rural  inhabitants  go  twenty  miles  often  to  a  church  to  at- 
tend the  Otte  song.  The  sledges  leave  their  home  at  mid- 
night, and  often  race  on  the  return,  because  it  is  believed 
whoever  is  first  back  again  will  have  the  earliest  harvest, 
or  the  soonest  marry  if  he  be  single.  The  races  over  icy 
hills  and  plains  are  sometimes  dangerously  swift.  And 
then  the  music  of  the  bells  on  the  cold  air  lulls  the  lady 
into  sleep,  from  which,  if  not  careful,  she  never  wakens 
on  earth. 

Look  into  the  houses  after  the  Jule-Otte  song  is  over. 
A  strange  being  walks  in  with  masked  face,  a  cap  run- 
ning up  to  a  point,  goggle  eyes,  and  laden  arms.  It  is 
the  bearer  of  Jule-Klapper,  or  Christmas  presents.  To 
the  house  of  a  maiden  who  expects  to  be  a  bride  soon,  he 
has  a  barrel  brought  and  rolled  on  the  floor,  which  a 
grocer  has  sent.  In  it,  under  nice  parcels  of  spice,  &c., 
are  beautiful  presents  from  her  lover. 

Such  is  Christmas  time  in  Wermeland.     But  these 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICBSON.  31 

scenes  were  not  half  so  exciting  to  John  at  eight  years 
of  agfe,  as  to  lads  generally  at  fifteen.  He  loved  better  his 
pencil,  and  a  fine  piece  of  machinery  to  watch  by  the 
hour. 

There  are  two  other  festivals  universally  observed  in 
the  country  of  Ericsson.  The  first  is  May-day,  when  the 
return  of  summer  is  hailed,  for  this  is  the  season  in  a 
region  where  vernal  and  autumnal  days  are  few.  The 
young  people  erect  a  pole  and  dance  around  it,  building 
great  fires  in  the  open  air  to  indicate  the  advent  of  warm 
weather.     The  rejoicing  is  often  continued  all  midnight. 

Another  holiday  is  at  midsummer,  when  the  heat  is  the 
most  intense,  and  the  harvest  ripening.  There  is  a  re- 
ligious service  in  the  evening,  and  every  manifestation 
of  joy  celebrates  this  brief  period  of  "Sol's"  welcome 
reign. 


CHAPTER  n. 

The  Boy-Mecliaiiic — The  Bride's  Eeception — Count  Flatten — His  Ship  Canal— 
The  interview  with  Bernadotte— The  Boy— Cadet— Engineer— Lieu- 
tenant. 

,  T  is  wonderful  how  the  young  student  of  great  and 
small  revolving  wheels,  engine  strokes,  and  levers, 
advanced  in  his  career,  already  chosen  by  his  very 
taste  and  progress  in  mechanical  science.  Day 
after  day,  and  year  after  year,  he  hangs  around 
the  miners  who  work  the  magnificent  machinery,  and 
make  the  iron  shaft,  the  busy  arms  and  fingers  of  wood 
and  steel,  his  instructors. 

He  is  nine  years  of  age,  and  see  him  busy  as  a  bee  aE 
alone.  By  him  is  a  knife,  gimlet,  and  pieces  of  wood. 
"Work,  work,  is  the  history  of  John,  till  he  stands  smiling 
with  the  delight  of  success  o¥er  a  complete  miniature 
sawmill  in  "  running  order."  Nine  years  old,  and  the 
builder  of  a  mill  finished  in  every  part ! 

"  What !  a  mill  just  like  a  large  one,  and  which  if  the 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  33 

wheels  and  saw  had  been  many  times  greater,  would  have 
made  the  logs  into  boards  and  timber  ?  " 

"  Not  only  was  this  true,  but  it  was  a  beautiful  lit- 
tle structure — firm,  neat,  and  tasteful.  It  is  doubtful 
whether  a  child  ever  before  wrought  out  so  complicated 
and  yet  perfect  a  specimen  of  mechanism." 

But  go  to  his  humble  room,  and  take  that  plain,  yet 
well-filled  portfolio.  It  is  a  bundle  of  drawings.  There 
are  circles  and  squares,  curves  and  straight  lines ;  dia- 
grams of  great  variety.  You  look  at  them  carefully,  and 
it  is  evident  they  mean  more  than  "  child's  play."  They 
are  all  plans  of  machinery.  The  mines  and  mills  are 
fairly  mapped  out  on  those  scraps  of  paper. 

John  has  made  his  own  instruments  with  which  the 
beautiful  work  was  done.  Some  of  them  are  entirely 
new  ;  the  invention  of  his  own  prematurely  active  brain. 
He  has  become  so  absorbed  in  the  fascinating  study  of 
mechanics,  that  he  scarely  notices  the  crowd  pressing 
toward  a  habitation  not  far  distant,  in  the  clear,  cold 
evening  air.  He  is  tracing  dark  lines  on  the  smooth  sur- 
face before  him.  It  is  a  bride's  reception.  The  custom 
in  Sweden  is,  to  have  the  lady  who  is  married,  after  the 
ceremony,  attended  by  two  marshals  with  lanterns,  to 
show  herself  on  the  balcony  or  in  the  window,  tiU  the 
people  are  satisfied.  The  marshals  lift  and  lower  their 
lanterns,  and  waive  them,  to  shed  every  possible  light 
upon  the  pale,  and  yet  blushing  bride.     There  she  stands, 


34  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOK. 

the  silent  object  of  inspection,  turning  her  face  and  then 
her  back ;  at  length  the  last  curious  spectator  goes,  cast- 
ing a  backward  glance  to  be  sure  the  seeing  is  complete. 
Now  she  glides  away,  and  sinks  in  the  chair  of  her  cham- 
ber, weary,  and  glad  that  the  ordeal  is  over. 

The  boy  at  ten  is  married  with  loving  heart,  and  the 
maturity  of  manhood  in  thought,  to  clear-eyed,  fair,  and 
faithful  science — never  deceitfdl,  but  always  rewarding 
with  the  radiant  smile  of  her  highest  earthly  success  the 
patient,  devoted  friend.  Already  John's  marvellous  at- 
tainments had  reached  the  ears  of  the  great  men  of 
Sweden.  Count  Flatten  sought  an  interview  with  the 
boy.  The  nobleman  sits  down  beside  the  stout,  fine- 
looking  lad,  and  turns  over  the  drawings,  looks  at  the 
"tools"  he  invented  and  made,  and  at  the  saw-miU,  and 
questions  him  about  them  all.  John  answers  promptly,  dis- 
tinctly, and  in  a  few  words.  Then  handing  the  diagrams 
back  to  him,  he  remarked  with  impressive  earnestness  of 
interest  in  what  he  had  seen  :  "  Continue  as  you  have  com- 
menced, and  you  will  one  day  produce  something  extraor- 
dinary" 

I  must  tell  you  something  about  Admiral  Flatten,  for 
he  had  this  title  also.  He  was  the  engineer  of  that  won- 
derful achievement  of  skill,  the  Gottenberg  Canal,  inti- 
mately associated,  as  you  will  learn,  with  the  miner  boy's 
success.  It  connects  by  water  the  capital  of  Sweden  on 
the  Baltic,  with  the  North  Sea,  three  hundred  miles  apart, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  35 

and  yet  not  more  than  fifty  miles  are  canal.  The  rest  of 
the  distance  is  a  series  of  lakes  and  rivers.  At  the  Cata- 
ract of  Trollhatten,  where  Lake  Werner  has  its  wild  out- 
let in  the  river  Gotha,  the  scene,  to  the  traveller,  surpasses 
any  thing  of  the  kind  in  the  world.  The  river  Gotha 
empties  into  Lake  Hielmar. 

The  rushing  stream  plunges  down  a  precipice  one 
hundred  feet  in  height  into  a  chasm  of  fearful  depth  and 
wildness,  by  four  successive  leaps  over  battlements  of 
rock.  The  Channel  of  the  Gotha  had  been  cleared  for 
navigation  up  to  the  magnificent  barrier  of  the  Falls, 
which  thundered  defiance  in  the  face  of  kings  and  subjects. 
Charles  XII.  employed  Polham,  the  distinguished  engi- 
neer, to  construct  a  canal,  if  possible,  around  the  cataract. 
But  there  stood  the  mountain  of  granite,  and  to  get  through 
it  was  decided  to  be  impossible.  The  enterprise  was 
therefore  abandoned,  till  Count  Platten's  genius  hurled 
back  with  the  thunder  of  blasting  granite,  and  the  sound 
of  the  busy  hundreds  of  mechanics,  nature's  defiance.  He 
bearded  the  giant,  for  ages  unmolested  in  his  den  of  thun- 
der and  foam.  Trollhatten,  or  Trollhatta,  means  sorcer- 
or's  manor.  Troll  is  the  gigantic  conjuror,  who,  the 
superstitious  believed,  had  his  home  here,  and  performed 
his  mad  antics  with  the  flood.  His  hat  lies  near — an  im- 
mense rock,  hollowed  or  scooped  out,  making  quite  an 
apartment.  Into  this  visitors  go,  and  write  their  names 
all  over  the  inside  of  the  hat. 


do  LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON. 

When  Carl  Johan,  that  is,  Bernadotte,  King  of 
Sweden,  was  there,  many  years  since,  with  his  royal 
comjpany,  he  entered  the  covering  of  the  old  giant's  head. 
Eight  in  the  rapids  below  the  cataract  is  an  island, 
around  which  the  waters  boil  and  roar  fearfully.  There 
is  a  story  that  a  tailor's  lady-love  refused  to  marry  him 
unless  he  would  sit  on  that  spot  of  land  thus  fearfully 
encircled  by  the  furious  tides,  till  he  had  made  a  'pair 
of  pantaloons.  You  must  understand  that  like  looking 
from  a  high  and  narrow  bridge,  or  the  brow  of  a  preci- 
pice, the  dash  and  roar  around  the  rocky  foothold  would 
turn  with  dizziness  the  heads  of  most  people.  Indeed  a 
sentimental  Frenchman  wa§  so  overcome,  that  he  fainted. 

But  the  poor  tailor  was  deeply  in  love,  and  was  resolved 
to  have  a  fair  trial  of  the  sorcery  of  roaring  Troll,  rather 
than  lose  the  idol  of  his  heart.  So  away  he  went,  with 
.  cloth,  buttons,  thread  and  needles,  and  getting  safely  over  to 
it,  commenced  his  work.  He  thought  of  her^  then  glanced 
with  a  thrill  of  terror  at  the  boiling  eddies  around  him, 
and  again  plied  his  needle.  The  hours  wore  away,  and 
the  excitement  became  unendurable.  The  fascination 
often  felt  in  similar  places,  seized  him ;  and  rising,  ho 
plunged,  "  pants"  and  all,  into  the  angry  current,  and  was 
seen  no  more  ! 

Should  you  travel  on  the  Grand  Canal,  you  will  not 
forget  the  story  when  you  get  to  the  Avave-rocked  seat  of 
grim  and  ancient  Troll.     Such  are  the  strange  and  even 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  37 

wicked  superstitions  and  perverted  affections  of  the  human 
mind  and  heart  apart  from  pure  religion.  As  the  steamer 
urges  its  way  up  the  waters,  you  see  in  the  distance  what 
'seems  to  be  a  white  cloud  hanging  from  the  mountain  side. 
But  when  nearer  you  hear  the  roar  of  a  cataract,  and 
then  behold  the  descending  flood  which  from  afar  was  a 
snowy  crown  of  the  rocky  battlement.  The  river  is  now 
angry  and  crested  before  you.  Up,  up  the  dizzy  height 
you  gaze,  and  wonder  how  your  boat  can  get  to  the  peace- 
ful lake  beyond  it.  Massive  gates  open,  the  steamer 
passes  in,  and  they  are  shut.  The  first  lock  is  entered. 
The  water  flows  into  it,  surging  back  and  forth,  but  all 
the  time  lifting  the  burden  higher.  After  reaching  the 
highest  point  which  could  be  secured  by  this  terrace,  the 
steamboat  goes  through  other  gates  into  a  similar  lock. 

If  you  have  seen  the  canal-locks,  you  will  comprehend 
the  marvellous  mountain  climbing.  Y^m  can  imagine 
large  chambers  cut  in  the  side  of  the  mountain,  the  floor 
of  one  on  a  level  with  the  top  of  another  below,  till  these 
rooms,  like  the  stories  of  a  house,  reach  from  the  base  to 
the  brow  of  the  summit.  Then  let  the  steamer  pass  in, 
the  water  flowing  into  the  lowest  chamber,  close  be- 
hind the  boat  through  the  gates,  and  let  in  water  above, 
till  it  lifts  the  burden  upward  to  the  bottom  of  the  next 
lock.  The  vessel  passes  in,  gates  again  shut  behind 
it,  and  on  the  swaying  flood  it  continues  to  rise.  Thus 
it  is  upborne   along  the  majestic  pile  of  massive  rock. 


38  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

Scaling  tlie  mighty  walls  of  Troll's  manor  on  tliese 
gigantic  stairs,  the  silent  navigator  rises,  until  the  bright 
lake  beyond  is  gained ;  and  away,  puffing  and  dashing 
aside  the  spray,  it  glides,  as  if  exulting  to  be  free  again 
Think  of  twenty  such  locks,  at  one  spot,  in  this  grand 
canal !  What  an  engineer,  and  what  engineering,  to  thus 
overcome  natural  barriers,  which  seemed  to  defy  the 
genius  and  power  of  man  ! 

Near  the  beautiful  Lake  Motala,  and  extensive  iron 
works,  lie  the  ashes  of  Admiral  Flatten.  The  very  puff 
of  the  steamer  along  his  marvellous  path  of  travel,  salutes 
his  grave  in  its  long  marches.  Think  of  three  hundred 
miles  of  such  varied  scenery — rivers,  lakes,  miles  of  deep 
excavations  through  solid  rock,  mountains  terraced  with 
locks,  looking  like  "  the  ward^  of  a  giant's  key,"  combin- 
ing the  sublime  and  beautiful  in  every  possible  variety 
and  degree. 

Along  the  coast  of  the  Baltic  Sea,  called  Skaregard, 
which  means  a  place  of  rocky  islands,  the  ship  canal  has 
its  highway  for  a  great  distance  among  rugged  little 
isles  and  huge  boulders.  The  channels  are  marked  with 
various  signals.  Sometimes  a  pole,  then  a  half-sunken 
rock  painted  white,  is  the  sign  of  peril — silently  admonish- 
ing of  the  danger  of  a  deviation  from  the  channel  cleared 
and  marked  out  for  the  traveller.  Is  it  not  an  impressive 
illustration  of  our  moral  pathway  through  time  to  eternity? 

Like   all   highly-gifted   and  noble   natures,  Admiral 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICS80N.  39 

Flatten  thought  and  acted  for  himself.  When  he  was  sure 
a  thing  was  right  and  possible,  he  went  forward  with  it, 
in  the  face  of  opposition.  The  nobility  of  Sweden,  and 
the  people  generally,  opposed  as  chimerical  the  project 
of  this  Grand  Ship  Canal  across  a  kingdom  and  over 
mountains.  He  remembered  the  story  of  Columbus,  of 
Galileo,  and  others,  who  reached  a  shining  goal  of  suc- 
cess through  scorn  and  even  bitter  persecution.  He  died 
viceroy  of  Sweden,  acknowledged  to  be  one  of  the  greatest 
men  in  northern  Europe. 

Count  Flatten  was  on  familiar  terms  of  friendship 
with  Bernadotte,  King  of  Sweden,  who,  you  will  recollect, 
was  Marshal  of  France  under  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  He 
was  called  to  the  throne  of  the  kingdom  in  1818.  He 
placed  implicit  confidence  in  Count  Flatten,  admiring 
much  his  rare  ability,  and  the  monuments  of  his  engineer- 
ing attainments.  The  encouraging  attention  and  words 
which  the  count  gave  to  the  boy,  were  like  a  trumpet- 
call  to  his  life-work.  We  never  knew  the  influence. of  our 
speech  upon  others.  The  engineer  of  the  Gottenberg 
canal  did  not  appreciate  the  effect  of  his  cheering  expres- 
sions. John  decided  at  once  to  emulate  the  splendid  ex- 
ample before  him.  Very  soon  after  the  conversation  v/ith 
Count  Flatten,  John  received  a  high  compliment  from  his 
distinguished  friend.  By  his  influence  he  was  appointed 
a  cadet  in  the  corps  of  engineers.  In  other  words,  he  be- 
came attached  to  the  engineering  corps  as  a  pupU,  to  pre- 


4:0  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

pare  for  active  public  service.  He  watched  these  able 
mechanics,  and  learned  with  a  rapidity  seldom  known  in 
the  experience  of  one  so  young.  The  men  were  surprised 
and  delighted  with  the  boy,  and  took  pains  to  answer  aU 
his  questions,  earnestly  but  modestly  offered.  Only  six 
months  of  tuition  passed  before  he  was  made  Nivelleur, 
that  is  Leveler;  in  other  words,  he  was  an  engineer  on  the 
Grand  Ship  Canal,  unde]|;  Count  Flatten.  In  his  thirteenth 
year  he  was  ordered  to  lay  out  work  on  the  national  high- 
way for  six  hundred  men.  The  workmen  were  soldiers 
of  the  regular  army.  When  they  are  not  wanted  for  the 
battle  field,  they  are  employed  by  the  Government  on  any 
improvements  for  the  benefit  of  the  State,  to  which  they 
may  be  assigned. 

Did  you  ever  before  hear  of  a  boy  engineer  in  the 
command  of  six  hundred  of  a  king's  troops,  and  that,  too, 
on  one  of  the  grandest  enterprises  ever  carried  forward  by 
royal  power  and  treasures?  The  army  regulations  are 
very  strict  in  the  old  world.  It  is  a  sternly-enforced  rule 
in  the  military  department  of  Sweden,  that  the  soldier 
must  uncover  his  head  when  he  addresses  a  superior. 
See  that  gray-haired  veteran  come  to  John  with  cap  in 
his  hand,  and  a  respectful  bow,  to  receive  instructions  in 
his  labour !  and  he  is  a  single  subject  of  the  child-king 
over  a  realm  of  more  than  half  a  thousand  willhag  sol- 
diers !  Again,  look  at  him  whUe  taking  surveying  obser- 
vations along  the  rugged  line  of  the  broad  channel  to  be 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  41 

opened  for  the  waters.  His  eye  cannot  reach  the  levelling 
instrument.  He  has  grown  faster  in  mind  and  knowledge 
than  in  stature.  Attendants  are  at  hand,  and  place  under 
his  feet  a  stool.  Now  he  can  put  his  clear  eye  before  the 
sight,  and  at  a  glance  catch  the  angles  and  get  the  bear- 
ings desired.  Down  he  steps,  the  stool  is  borne  behind 
him  for  the  next  pause  of  observation.  It  is  almost  ludi- 
crous to  think  of  those  strong,  whiskered,  bronzed  soldiers 
of  Bernadotte,  the  king,  led  about  by  the  ruddy  unpre- 
tending boy,  and  obeying  his  commands  with  as  much 
deference  and  promptness  as  they  would  their  sovereign's. 
But  such  is  the  might  of  cultivated  minds  when  brought 
into  the  service  of  royalty.  In  this  country  it  would  be 
more  difficult  to  secure  obedience  to  the  command  of  one 
so  young  ;  there  is  too  little  reverence  for  authority  here, 
either  national  or  parental.  This  tendency  to  throw  off 
restraint  is  a  threatening  sign  of  the  times.  Few  young 
persons  apparently  cultivate  that  beautiful  respect  for 
parents,  teachers,  and  rulers,  universal  in  our  land  many 
years  since,  and  still  found  in  Sweden. 

When  the  severe  winters  of  Sweden  suspended  the 
business  on  the  canal,  John  devoted  the  long  evenings  to 
studies  with  his  pencil  and  paper,  as  he  had  done  before 
he  thought  of  being  an  engineer  to  the  king.  And  you 
would  find  at  the  present  time,  along  the  Grand  Canal, 
various  improvements  from  the  diagrams  wrought  out  by 
this   child   of   mathematical    science.      The   stupendous 


42  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

acMevement  of  Count  Flatten  became  a  world  of  en- 
gineering interest  to  young  Ericsson.  He  commenced 
drawings  of  all  the  machinery  and  implements  connected 
with  it.  The  employment  was  his  pastime.  When  fif- 
teen years  of  age,  he  had  from  his  own  hand  a  complete 
portfolio  or  panorama  of  the  Grand  Canal,  three  hundred 
miles  in  length,  with  all  the  tools  used  in  the  mighty  task 
of  cutting  away  the  mountain  sides,  building  upon  them 
the  staircase  of  locks,  and  piercing  other  summits  in 
this  conquest  of  nature  by  science.  But  all  the  while, 
unconsciously  to  himself,  John  had  been  drinking  in  the 
martial  spirit  from  his  soldier-workmen  and  the  officers 
with  whom  he  was  associated.  Is  it  not  strange,  that 
with  all  the  hardships  and  perils,  the  separation  from 
friends,  and  subjection  to  unquestioning  command  by 
superiors,  there  should  be  such  fascination  in  military 
life?  The  trappings  and  the  music,  the  romance  and 
honors  attending  it,  generally  attract  all  the  men  needed 
by  the  State,  even  if  not  compelled  to  enlist  in  the  service. 
Two  years  later,  when  seventeen,  he  entered  the  army. 
He  knew  well  the  enthusiastic  devotion  of  his  noble  friend. 
Count  Flatten,  to  mechanics,  and  that  he  supposed  his 
protege  had  decided  to  devote  himself  to  the  same  con- 
genial calling.  The  count  was  proud  of  him.  -  But  John 
must  and  would  try  soldiering.  And  before  his  patron 
dreamed  of  the  new  passion,  the  die  was  cast.  Soon  as 
he  heard  of  it  he  had  an  interview  with  the  miner-boy, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  43 

and  urged  him  not  to  leave  a  career  so  brilliantly  com- 
menced, certain  in  its  high  reward.  John  listened,  but 
heard  the  drum  and  fife  in  fancy  too,  and  saw,  instead 
of  burnished  mechanism,  the  sword  and  bayonet.  The 
count  grew  excited.  The  lad  persisted  in  his  choice. 
With  angry  words  the  nobleman  left  him.  The  ensign, 
for  this  was  his  rank,  loved  and  admired  with  reverent 
gratitude  his  benefactor,  and  felt  deeply  his  indignant 
protest.  Firmness  and  tenacity  of  purpose  were  charac- 
teristics, as  you  have  seen,  from  earliest  experience, 
and  try  the  soldier's  profession  he  would. 

Providence  seemed  to  frown  at  the  outset  upon  his 
change  of  purpose.  His  colonel.  Baron  Koskull,  recom- 
mended young  Ericsson  to  Bernadotte  for  promotion. 
But  on  account  of  some  misconduct  he  was  disgraced  by 
the  king  at  the  very  time  he  made  the  request.  The 
king  therefore  rejected  the  proposed  and  deserved  honor 
for  Ensign  Ericsson.  It  is  quite  probable  that  the  inti- 
macy existing  between  him  and  Count  Flatten,  through 
which  he  must  have  learned  of  the  nobleman's  displeasure, 
before  mentioned,  had  Something  to  do  with  the  failure  to 
secure  the  appointment.  Baron  Koskull  displayed  a  real 
interest  in  his  ensign.  Chagrined  and  irritated  at  the  re- 
buke of  his  sovereign,  he,  notwithstanding,  determined  to 
press  his  suit.  Having  a  finished  and  accurate  military 
map  which  the  young  soldier  had  prepared,  he  took  it  to 
the  son  of  Bernadotte,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Crown 


4A  LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

Prince  Oscar.  Calling  his  attention  to  the  remarkable 
work  of  the  youthful  ensign,  he  entreated  him  to  intercede 
with  his  father,  the  king,  in  Ericsson's  behalf.  The  prince 
examined  the  beautiful  creation  of  genius,  expressed  his 
admiration  of  its  rare  excellence,  and  bearing  it  in  his 
hand,  went  to  his  majesty  in  person,  and  asked  for  the 
author's  promotion.  The  map  and  the  petition  of  Prince 
Oscar  prevailed.  Ensign  Ericsson  was  created  lieutenant, 
in  accordance  with  the  baron's  recommendation.  It  so 
happened  that  at  this  crisis  in  the  military  career  of  the 
engineer,  the  Grovernment  had  ordered  a  careful  survey 
of  the  Northern  portion  of  the  realm.  It  was  a  difficult 
and  laborious  service,  requiring  the  best  talent  and  cul- 
ture in  the  kingdom. 


CHAPTER  m. 

The  King's  Surveyor — Tlie  young  Lieutenant's  Examination — The  Appointment 
— Eomantic  Service— Other  Labors— Fulton  and  Ericsson— The  Flame  En- 
gine—The Wooden  Eailroad— The  Locomotive— The  Exciting  Eace. 

^HE  king  turned  for  the  man  he  wanted  to  his 
army.  Away  in  the  cold  north,  where  snow 
glowed  in  aural  SjDlendors,  and  mildly  shone 
like  plains  and  summits  of  silver  in  the  light  of 
the  moon,  was  stationed  Lieutenant  Ericsson's 
regiment.  It  was  there  the  surveyors  were  to  traverse 
the  provinces,  wrapped  in  furs,  with  the  frosty  implements 
of  surveying  in  their  hands.  The  culture  of  his  mathe- 
matical powers  under  Admiral  Flatten,  had  given  him 
confidence  in  his  ability  to  hunt  the  tortuous  boundaries 
of  his  native  land. 

He  hastens  to  the  national  capital.  The  Board  of 
Examiners  open  the  ordeal.  The  lieutenant  is  called  up 
for  trial. 

It  is  a  new  and  strange  scene  for  him.  Veteran  offi- 
cers are  his  questioners.     The  ruddy  youth  of  seventeen 


46  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

calmly  stands  forth,  and  the  tests  are  applied.  Problem 
after  problem,  which  might  bewilder  an  older  brain,  is 
clearly  solved.  The  profoundest  depths  of  practical 
mathematics  are  sounded,  and  the  miner-boy  wins  only 
applause. 

The  examiners  are  surprised,  and  are  curious  to  know 
how  it  is  that  he  uses  Euclid's  Geometry  so  freely  and  cor- 
rectly. It  turns  out  that  he  has  mastered  it  like  Euclid 
himself.  His  memory  is  not  remarkable,  and  therefore 
he  does  not  repeat  the  demonstrations,  but  he  knows  per- 
fectly the  principles,  and  could  write  a  geometry  himself. 
This  was  the  foundation  of  his  success  in  engineering. 
Triumphant  in  the  examination,  he  was  appointed  G-ov- 
ernment  Surveyor  for  Northern  Sweden. 

Some  young  reader  may  sigh  over  such  early  dis- 
tinction, and  say  to  himself,  it  was  genius^  and  I  could  not, 
if  I  tried,  imitate  him.  You  could,  in  just  what  made  him 
and  Lieutenant-General  Grant  great,  hard  study  and  re- 
liahle  character.  Without  these,  neither  would  have  suc- 
ceeded. More  have  risen  from  obscurity  by  these  two 
means  of  high  achievement,  than  by  all  others.  It  is 
wonderful  to  know  how  much  they  will  make  of  a  com- 
mon mind. 

The  surveyor  returned  to  the  highlands,  delighted 
with  the  new  field  of  action.  The  youthful  officer  was 
in  his  element  again.  Over  hill  and  through  gloomy  val- 
ley, along  the  mountain  slope  and  rushing  river,  the  lieu- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  47 

tenant  goes  with  rapid  marches,  yet  omitting  nothing  im- 
portant in  the  survey.  It  was  a  romantic  yet  intensely  la- 
borious service.  Quite  different  from  similar  labor  in  this 
countr}''.  Wild,  rugged,  and  often  awfully  desolate,  only 
a  few  hours  of  sunlight  most  of  the  year,  it  was  duty 
which  no  constitution  but  the  firmest  could  have  borne, 
performed  so  rapidly  and  well.  Though  the  youngest  of 
the  surveyors,  he  did  by  far  the  most  work  in  a  given 
time. 

Do  you  know  how  he  received  his  mails  in  that  wild 
region?  The  dwellings  stand  apart  in  the  country,  and 
there  are  but  few  villages  in  large  districts.  Queen  Chris- 
tiana made  new  arrangements  in  respect  to  the  mail- 
service. 

Lands  at  certain  distances  along  the  routes  of  travel 
were  given  to  the  occupants,  who,  in  return,  were  to  see  the 
mails  transported  over  the  country. 

In  summer  you  might  have  seen  a  little  boy,  some- 
times a  girl,  riding  a  poor  old  horse,  all  alone,  upon  the 
desolate  plain,  through  dark  fir-tree  forest,  and  across 
the  rapid  stream,  and  then  over  the  mountain  crest.  No 
one  thought  of  robbing  or  disturbing  him — such  is  the 
honesty  and  respect  for  law  in  Sweden. 

When  the  long  winter  came,  the  little  carriers  would 
take  the  sledges,  and  away  they  would  glide  over  the  ice 
and  snow-crust  for  many  miles,  till  they  reached  the  next 
stage  in  the  long  route.     Then  another  post  agent  hurried 


4:8  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSOK". 

off  with,  the  precious  burden  to  the  scattered  people  of  the 
north. 

Young  Ericsson  made  with  his  own  pencil  and  pen 
maps  very  minute  in  contents,  of  more  than  fifty  square 
miles,  which  are  preserved  in  the  archives,  or  repository 
of  public  records,  at  the  capital  of  Sweden.  The  restless, 
vigorous  brain  of  Ericsson  was  not  satisfied  with  his 
labors  as  surveyor.  And  here  I  must  teU  you  that  he 
would  have  failed  to  accomplish  so  much  noble  service, 
had  he  not  taken  care  of  his  physical  frame.  You  know 
that  a  strong  engine  in  a  frail  steamer  would  soon  shake 
it  in  pieces.  It  is  the  same  with  brain-power,  unless  sus- 
tained by  a  healthful  bodily  system  ;  it  must  break  down 
the  man,  and  make  him  a  useless  wreck  of  a  splendid, 
self-moving  machine.  God,  who  formed,  requires  the  ut- 
most care  of  both  the  immortal  worker  and  the  body 
which  enshrines  it.  The  lieutenant  has  a  sound  mind  in 
a  sound  frame-work,  which  was  kept,  by  habits  of  temper- 
ance and  regularity,  in  excellent  tone. 

He  undertook  now  a  magnificent  volume,  with  sixty- 
four  engravings,  on  canals.  The  plan  was  to  describe, 
and  have  pictures  of  every  thing  connected  with  the  build- 
ing of  canals ;  all  the  machines,  locks,  bridges,  excava- 
tions, and  means  of  navigation.  Major  Pentz,  a  German 
ofiicer  and  engineer,  was  his  associate  in  the  grand  and 
expensive  undertaking,  writing  the  text  in  his  native  lan- 
guage, that  it  might  have  more  readers  than  it  could  in 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  49 

the  Swedish  tongue.  The  compilation  of  the  enterprise 
was  delayed  by  various  labors,  and  owing  to  new  dis- 
coveries it  was  suspended.  He  was  about  twenty  years 
of  age,  and  had  no  superior  in  engineering  in  the  king- 
dom. He  was  constantly  making  experiments,  suggested 
by  what  he  saw  and  learned.  There  had  been  progress  in 
the  New  World,  which  had  set  his  genius  on  a  new  track. 
In  1807  you  might  have  seen  a  curious  crowd  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson  River,  watching  the  builder  of  the 
first  steamboat  and  his  humble  craft.  John  was  then  four 
years  old,  and  pencilling  his  first  diagram  of  machinery. 
Fulton  had  dreamed  over  his  invention,  and  wrought  it 
out  amid  unbelief  and  even  ridicule.  The  multitude  could 
scarcely  believe  their  eyes,  when  the  odd-looking  structure 
started  off  a  little  faster  than  ordinary  driving  on  a  good 
turnpike.  But  the  patient  inventor  saw  abeady  his  re- 
ward, and  consoled  himself  with  the  reflection,  that  it  was 
nearly  a  century  after  Barth  Schwartz  inv.ented  gunpowder 
before  it  sent  iron  balls  from  the  cannon's  mouth. 

Other  equally  important  discoveries  of  genius  had 
slowly  won  their  way  into  popular  regard.  What  pro- 
gress in  the  use  of  steam,  while  young  Ericsson  was  mas- 
tering the  machinery  of  the  mines  and  of  the  Grand  Ship 
Canal !  With  a  new  idea  in  his  mind,  he  makes  a  visit 
to  his  colonel's  house. 

"  I  have  motive  power  with  heat,  and  without  steam,'' 
says  the  lieutenant. 
3 


50  LIFE  OF  JOHN  EEICSSOIT. 

"And  how  is  that?" 

"  The  young  officer  has  prepared  a  small  contrivance, 
in  which  he  condenses  the  flame,  and  like  steam,  but  with 
perfect  safety,  it  will  propel  machinery." 

The  colonel  looks  at  it  with  glad  surprise  ;  for  he.  too, 
is  a  devotee  of  science.  Then,  as  Count  Flatten  did  when 
he  first  saw  Ericsson,  he  urged  the  maturer  genius  for- 
ward, assuring  him  he  had  struck  a  new  and  most  impor- 
tant principle  in  motive  powers. 

Encouraged  and  stimulated  by  the  words  of  his  friend, 
he  seeks  a  body  for  his  principle.  With  tools  and  mate- 
rials and  time  see  how  enthusiastically  he  studies  the 
how  to  accomplish  this.  What  cares  he  for  the  "  spree  " 
of  the  fast  young  man,  or  the  lover's  song.  His  silent 
bride,  science,  is  the  fairest  companion  the  wide  earth  can 
offer  him.  Work — work — ^work !  Oh,  unresting  brain, 
what  next  ?  The  days  and  weeks  pass.  Now  look ! 
There  stands  a  beautiful  engine,  with  crank,  and  wheels, 
and  the  entire  harness  for  service.  He  starts  it,  and  it 
moves  with  force  equal  to  a  steam-engine  of  ten-hors§ 
power.  There  is  no  rush  of  vapor  from  its  prison,  and 
only  a  small  quantity  of  fuel.  A  Flanae  Engine !  But 
Sweden  is  too  near  the  North  Pole,  too  isolated  from  the 
great  heart  of  the  world,  for  the  advent  of  such  a  wonder. 
Scientific,  mighty  England,  is  the  theatre  for  its  ap- 
pearance. The  colonel  petitions  the  king,  and  he  consents 
to  let  his  gifted  subject  go. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON;  51 

He  left  Sweden  near  the  middle  of  May,  1826,  just  as 
the  fetters  of  the  long  winter  began  to  melt  away  from 
his  native  realm.  On  the  18th  he  reached  the  shores  of 
the  British  Isle.  His  heart  beat  high  with  hope.  Scien- 
tific gentlemen  admired  the  Flame  Engine,  which  had 
moved  so  finely  when  heated  by  the  ignited  pine  splinters 
of  the  highlands  of  Sweden.  The  fuel  of  England,  you 
know,  is  coals,  as  they  call  the  exhaustless  product  of  their 
coal-beds.  Many  miles  of  immense  caverns  are  the  sub- 
terranean world  of  thousands  of  English  subjects.  They 
have  much  less  daylight  than  the  Swedes,  passing  life 
away  by  the  dim  flame  of  candles. 

The  Englishmen,  therefore,  must  try  coals  for  the 
Flame  Engine.  Alas,  for  the  youthful  engineer.  The 
fire  of  the  mineral  fuel  was  duller,  and  affected  so  inju- 
riously the  engine,  that  it  soon  became  worthless.  This 
was  no  pleasant  joke  for  John  Ericsson.  The  expenses 
of  travel  and  machinery  must  be  paid.  Honesty  was  in- 
grained in  his  nature.  What  shall  be  done  ?  His  brain 
is  his  hanJc.  He  must  draw  on  that.  From  it  soon  went 
forth  to  the  Patent  Ofiice  of  England  pictured  inventions 
of  great  merit ;  only  one  of  which,  we  will  notice  here. 
It  was  a  steam  boiler  for  artificial  draft;  i.  e.,  to  draw  a 
burden.  The  year  before  the  first  railroad  for  passen- 
gers was  built  of  wood.  The  cars  were  drawn  by  horses. 
This  was  thought  to  be  a  grand  affair.     Such  smooth 


52  LIFE   OF   JOHIT   ERICSSON. 

riding !  and  then  how  many  more  a  horse  could  draw 
along  the  wooden  track ! 

In  1829  the  first  locomotive  was  brought  to  this  coun- 
try. The  earliest  engines  used  had  a  speed  of  only  four- 
teen miles  an  hour.  John  Ericsson  had  sent  to  the 
Patent  Office  drawings  of  a  revolution  on  the  new  tracks 
of  travel  in  the  rate  of  speed.  He  was  a  youth  of  twenty 
three,  and  rightly  thought  the  influence  of  a  well-known 
engineering  mechanic  would  gain  public  confidence.  Mr. 
John  Braithwaite  was  among  the  "  lords  in  this  domain 
of  thought."     With  him  he  joined  his  fortunes. 

The  same  large,  vigorous  brain,  which  created  machin- 
ery rapidly  as  most  young  heads  do  "  vain  imaginations," 
was  now  sure  of  an  invention  which  would  atone  for  the 
loss  on  the  Flame  Engine.  Into  his  room  he  goes,  a 
willing  exile  from  the  haunts  of  the  surging  throngs 
of  a  city.  Like  the  anatomist  over  his  table,  on  which 
lies,  to  be  tahen  ajoart,  a  human  form,  so  "  fearfully  and 
wonderfully  made,"  Ericsson  bowed  over  his  drawings 
and  models  to  construct  his  metallic  giant.  The  weeks 
again  have  sped  by,  and  genius  and  labor  triumph.  The 
Swedish  stranger  is  railroad  king  though  he  does  not 
know  it. 

The  directors  of  the  Liverpool  and  Manchester  Rail- 
way had  planned  their  stationary  engines  for  drawing 
the  carriages.  They  were  first  ready  to  put  up  these  m- 
movahle  machines  for  moving  from  one  point  to  another 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  63 

the  passengers  and  freiglit.  The  wise  idea  was  suggested 
of  trying  the  engineering  talent  of  the  proud  Empire,  for 
something  better  to  propel  the  cars.  In  the  autumn  of 
1829  a  prize  of  five  hundred  pounds  sterling  was  offered 
for  the  best  locomotive  engine.  The  inventors  were  to 
have  a  day  of  trial  on  the  small  portion  of  the  finished 
track.  Lieutenant  Ericsson  was  too  busy  to  read  all  the 
advertisements,  and  had  not  seen  this  proposal,  published 
in  some  of  the  papers,  until  seven  weeks  before  the  race 
was  to  come  off.  But  such  a  mind  as  his  knows  no  canH. 
He  decided  to  enter  the  lists.  His  invention,  built  only  in 
lines  and  models,  must  be  embodied  in  a  locomotive. 
Never  did  an  earnest  man  lend  his  energies  more  closely 
and  mightily  to  a  task.  The  engine  is  planned,  the  pat- 
terns made,  and  the  ringing  of  hammers  heard.  The 
large,  round  boiler,  takes  shape  under  the  strong  hands 
of  the  best  mechanics.  "  Ding,  dong  ! "  go  the  strokes  on 
the  rivets.  Piston-rods  and  driving  wheels  are  ready ; 
and  when  the  morning  of  trial  dawns,  its  light  gleams 
along  the  polished  angles  and  points  of  the  miner-boy's 
locomotive !  The  sun  ascends  toward  the  zenith,  and 
pours"  its  beams  on  thousands  of  people  whose  paths  lie 
toward  the  railroad,  on  which  the  iron  horses  are  to  test 
their  speed.  The  throngs  sweep  along  the  track,  and  for 
a  mile  wall  in  the  straight  pathway  of  the  steeds,  whose 
"  sinews  are  of  steel,  and  whose  provender  is  fire." 
There  was  no  "betting,"  for  an  opportunity  had  no* 


54  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

offered.  The  race-horse  had  hitherto  borne  the  palm 
for  speed.  And  which  of  the  iron  monsters,  if  either, 
would  exceed  this,  was  all  conjectures  with  the  specu- 
lators. 

"  Well,"  remarks  one,  "  I  think  if  she  goes  ten  miles 
an  hour  she  will  *do  well." 

"  And  who  would  risk  his  life  on  greater  speed  than 
that?"  replies  a  farmer,  content  with  his  cart,  and  three 
miles  per  hour. 

The  foreign  lieutenant  felt  sure  his  horse  would  win. 
He  was  in  no  hurry  to  try  his  "  metal."  At  length  the 
signal  was  given.  No  whip  in  the  hand  of  a  rider,  or 
between  light  wheels,  is  heard  in  response.  In  the  deep 
silence  of  suspence,  a  hand  is  laid  upon  the  lever  which 
opens  a  valve.  The  imprisoned  steam  rushes  into  the 
piston-cylinder,  the  rod  moves,  the  crank  swings  round, 
the  heavy  wheels  revolve,  and  away  the  "  Novelty" 
glides  at  the  rate  of  more  than  fifty  miles  an  hour ! 
On  the  fleet  iron-steed,  John  Ericsson  and  John  Braith- 
waite  hold  the  reins  with  perfect  control  of  his  resistless 
advance. 

"Hurrah!  hurrah!!  hurrah!!!"  now  breaks  from 
the  vast  concourse,  like  the  "  sound  of  many  waters." 
Again  and  again  the  thunders  of  wild  applause  drown  the 
sharp  voice  of  the  escaping  steam,  and  the  heavy  sound 
of  the  ponderous  wheels.  Back  and  forth  the  tireless 
racer  flies.     The  astonished  populace  shout,  wave  hats 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  55 

and  handkerchiefs,  while  the  stocJchroJcers  are  adding  ten 
per  cent,  to  the  shares  of  the  Manchester  and  Liverpool 
Railway.  This  is  the  money-market  estimate  of  the  in- 
vention, quite  as  reliable,  my  young  readers,  as  the 
hurrahs. 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

Disappointment — ^Not  Discouraged — The  Invention  doing  good— The  Steam 
Fire-Engine— A  Fire— Another  Conflagration— The  Gold  Medal— Various 
Inventions — Ships — Steamers. 

\Y  young  reader,  have  you  ever  been  disappoint- 
ed? Has  some  bright  vision  of  success  in  life- 
plans,  or  pleasure  near,  vanished  in  a  moment? 
This  is  one  of  the  saddest  lessons  of  human 
experience,  and  yet  one  of  the  most  common. 
The  world  does  not  meet  our  hopes,  nor  can  it  satisfy  the 
aspirations  of  the  soul.  Our  miner-boy  had  not  known  a 
more  unexpected,  and  for  a  time,  perhaps  no  greater  dis- 
appointment than  one  he  was  doomed  to  experience  now. 
It  seemed  to  him,  and  to  aU,  that  to  draw  carriages  along 
fifty  miles  an  hour,  instead  of  a  dozen,  the  highest  rate  of 
speed  in  travel  before,  would  bring  the  inventor  fame  and 
fortune.  The  great  discovery  of  harnessing  the  steam  to 
draw  like  horses,  only  many  times  faster,  was  real.  The 
Swede  was  the  prince  of  inventors  here.     But  at  this 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  ERICSSON.  '  67 

moment  an  accident,  as  we  say,  apparently  a  mere  chance 
hint,  which  was  Providential  interposition,  plucked  the 
honor  and  the  golden  reward  from  his  hands.  It  was  an 
improvement,  by  another  mechanic,  in  the  application  of 
the  locomotive  power.  The  engines  made  by  it  were  more 
convenient  and  more  serviceable.  The  brave  worker  in 
wheels  and  steam  showed  no  token  of  discouragement. 
The  beautiful  boiler  was  smaller  than  any  thing  of  the 
kind  before.  The  notion  had  been  universal  among  sci- 
entific men,  that  there  was  no  way  of  getting  a  large 
amount  of  steam  in  boilers  so  short,  compact,  and  light. 
The  Novelty  blew,  with  its  hot  breath,  that  wise  conclu- 
sion to  the  winds.  And  now  see  how  the  failures  of  culti- 
vated, well-balanced,  patient  intellects,  are  successes  after 
all.  That  is,  they  contribute  to  the  world's  progress — 
lead  to  something  of  enduring  value.  It  was  now  1830. 
The  inventor  had  been  in  England  four  years.  After 
a  few  weeks  more  of  thinking,  Mr.  Ericsson  said  to  his 
friend,  Mr.  Braithwaite :  "X  have  another  use  for  my 
principle  in  the  construction  of  the  steam-boiler." 

"  And  what  now  ?  " 

"  We  will  have  a  steam  fire-engine." 

Neither  Mr.  Braithwaite  nor  anybody  else  had  then 
thought  of  making  fire  and  water  put  out  the  flames  of  a 
conflagration. 

In  the  earlier  periods  of  English  and  French  history, 
there  was  a  singular  and  rather  a  beautiful  protection 
3* 


58  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOIT. 

against  conflagrations  in  cities.  The  curfew  hell^  which 
you  know  was,  at-  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  sig- 
nal for  putting  out  all  the  fires.     So,  whenever  the 

"  Curfew  tolled  the  knell  of  parting  day," 

the  guardians  of  the  homes  of  the  people  must  at  once 
extinguish  the  flames  which  warmed  them,  and  soon  no 
smoke  till  the  next  morning  curled  upward  from  the 
countless  chimneys.  Excepting  such  precautions,  the  only- 
means  besides  buckets  of  water  in  the  hands,  and  some 
local  contrivances  employed  to  extinguish  fires,  till  1830 
were  the  engines  you  have  seen  worked  by  men.  Up 
and  down  the  long  wooden  or  metallic  handles  went,  till 
the  tired  firemen  sometimes  were  ready  to  drop  exhausted 
to  the  earth. 

Work !  work !  again,  is  the  quiet,  fascinating  life  of 
the  engineer.  The  time  flies,  and  look !  a  new  thing 
under  the  sun  glitters  in  its  light. 

"What  is  that?"  inquires  the  curious  spectator. 

"You  will  know  when  it  is  needed."  And  soon  it 
was  wanted. 

"Fire!  fire!"  rings  along  the  streets  of  London. 
The  bells  sound  their  alarm.  Away  rattles  the  first 
steam  fire-engine  to  try  its  power  over  the  flames,  spitting 
sparks  in  its  track,  and  puffing  columns  of  smoke.  The 
beautiful  Argyle  Rooms  are  wrapped  in  the  ruddy  and 
devouring  element.     The  excited  crowd  are  there.     The 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  69 

hand-pumps  of  the  old  machines  sound  on  every  hand. 
The  curious  intruder  opens  its  stream  of  water ;  steady, 
full,  and  high  it  curves  over  the  red  battlements.  Genius 
has  won  a  triumph  which  will  be  felt  in  every  land. 

The  King  of  Prussia,  in  1832,  ordered  of  Messrs. 
Ericsson  and  Btaithwaite  a  similar  engine  of  larger  di- 
mensions, and  consequently  of  greater  power.  And  one 
night,  in  the  splendid  city  of  Berlin,  Prussia,  the  fire- 
alarm  sounds  upon  the  still  air.  The  throngs  surge 
through  the  streets.  The  engines  go  rattling  along  the 
flame-illumined  highways.  It  is  a  fearful  conflagration. 
The  King's  steam  fire-engine  comes  to  the  rescue ;  into 
the  waving  banners  of  fire,  the  jet  of  water  streams ; 
soon  they  begin  to  droop,  and  the  victorious  defiant 
element  recoils  before  the  invader  of  his  red  field  of  ruin. 
A  number  of  elegant  buildings  were  saved  from  the  de- 
structive fire  by  the  timely  appearance  of  its  noble  antag- 
onist. The  people  watched  the  engine  as  if  it  were  a 
living  giant ;  and  were  ready  to  cheer  the  protector  of 
the  city  whose  fiery  heart  had  fought  so  well  the  very  foe , 
which  was  a  friendly  power  in  the  iron  harness  of  the 
beautiful  machines. 

The  Mechanics'  Institute  of  New  York  saw  the  work 
of  genius  m  the  unequalled  steam  fire-engine,  soon  as  the 
foreigner  came  to  our  shores.  In  1842  that  scientific 
institution  gave  John  Ericsson  a  large  and  richly-embossed 
gold  medal.    The  only  difficulty  in  Captain  Ericsson's  fire- 


60  LIFE   OF  JOHK  EEICSSON. 

engines  was  the  time  required  to  "  fire  up."  After  the 
preparation  to  work  the  machine  commenced,  it  would  be 
twenty  minutes  before  the  jet  of  water  could  be  thrown 
nearly  a  hundred  feet.  The  first  one,  of  six-horse  power, 
would  discharge  a  hundred  and  fifty  gallons  per  minute. 
Still,  like  every  thing  else  which  is  an  innovation  upon 
old  customs,  the  invention  received  but  little  attention 
until  Mr.  A.  B.  Latta,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  made  a  great 
improvement,  his  patent  requiring  but  five  or  six  minutes 
to  get  the  engine  ready  to  work,  and  successfully  intro- 
ducing the  invention  to  the  public. 

While  sojourning  in  England,  Captain  Ericsson  made 
several  very  valuable  inventions — improvements  in  en- 
gines and  machinery ;  but  while  of  great  value,  and  the 
result  of  deep  study,  there  is  one  which  eclipses  all  others. 
This  creation  of  his  fruitful  brain  would  alone  have  im- 
mortalized his  name.     It  is  the  now  world-wide  joropeller. 

Before  I  tell  you  how  he  came  to  think  of  it,  you 
should  have  a  clear  idea  of  the  different  kinds  of  vessels 
for  ocean  navigation,  and  the  progress  of  improvement. 
For  when  you  think  that  two-thirds  of  the  globe's  surface 
are  covered  with  water,  and  that  not  only  would  the  con- 
tinents be  distinct  and  almost  unknown  to  each  other  as 
the  worlds  in  space  without  the  ships,  but  some  of  the 
fiercest  and  most  decisive  battles  in  the  history  of  nations 
have  been  fought  on  the  sea,  you  will  appreciate  the 
greatness  and  value  of  the  inventions  and  improvements 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICSSON".  61 

m  navigation.  And  it  is  not  long  since  a  bright-eyed  boy 
inquired,  "  What  are  men-of-war  and  monitors?  and  how 
do  soldiers  fight  on  the  sea?" 

Here  is  the  answer :  I  will  begin  at  the  beginning. 
Anciently,  the  only  vessels  built  were  flat-bottomed 
barges,  or  boats  resembling  those  used  on  country  ferries 
across  rivers.  They  had  small  sails,  or  were  propelled 
by  oars.  Sometimes  there  were  in  the  larger  ships  banks 
or  rows  of  the  rowers,  so  that  many  oars  struck  the  waters 
at  the  same  moment.  There  were  two  ways  of  fighting. 
Vessels  were  constructed  with  sharp  iron  prows,  with 
which  the  enemy's  ships  were  pierced,  or  crushed.  The 
water  rushing  into  the  breach  finished  the  work  of.  de- 
struction. Another  method  of  warfare  was,  to  come 
close  together,  usually  side  by  side,  even  fastening  to 
each  other,  and  then  hurl  the  javelins,  strike  with  spears, 
and  use  other  missiles  of  death ;  for  gunpowder  and 
guns,  you  know,  were  not  used  at  all  till  about  500  years 
ago.  This  kind  of  naval  fighting  was  called  hoarding  the 
ship.  The  discovery  of  the  magnetic  needle,  and  the  voy- 
ages of  Columbus,  gave  a  new  impulse  to  navigation. 

Henry  YII.,  of  England,  who  was  crowned  Decem- 
ber, 1487,  founded  the  British  navy.  Under  his  sceptre, 
was  built  the  "  Great  Harry"  and  the  "  Sovereign  of  the 
Seas,"  which  carried  one  hundred  guns.  Indeed,  the 
English  over-gunned  their  men-of-war,  or  large  ships 
built  and  fitted  up  for  ocean  conflicts  and  defence.     The 


62  .LIFE   OF   JOHN"  ERICSSON. 

great  number  of  cannon  pressed  the  ships  down  too  much 
in  the  water.  The  lower  port-holes,  i.  e.,  apertures  in  the 
vessel's  sides  for  the  mouths  of  the  guns,  had  to  be  closed 
in  a  storm,  to  keep  the  waves  from  dashing  into  them. 
Of  course  many  of  the  cannon  were  useless  excepting  in 
a  calm. 

In  1779  General  Melville,  of  the  English  navy,  in- 
vented carronades,  thus  named  from  Carron  and  Com- 
pany, in  whose  iron-works  they  were  cast.  They  were 
short,  large-mouthed  guns,  for  throwing  shot  in  a  short 
course  or  arc  into  the  enemy's  ships.  It  was  then  a 
great  improvement  in  the  arms  of  the  navy.  Forty  years 
later  there  was  another  revolution  in  naval  warfare,  by 
an  invention  of  the  French  commander,  Paixhans.  It 
was  a  cannon  for  hollow  shot  or  sheUs,  exploding 
after  striking  the  ship  or  fort.  It  had  a  large  tube,  with 
a  narrow  chamber  for  the  powder  at  the  end.  Napoleon 
Bonaparte  saw  the  awful  havoc  burstiag  globes  of  iron 
would  make  anywhere,  especially  in  the  deck  and  sides 
of  a  ship.  When  he  contemplated  an  invasion  of  Eng- 
land, he  had  his  ships  at  Boulogne  armed  with  howitzers, 
that  is,  short  guns  for  throwing  hollow  shot. 

Long  after  steam  was  employed  in  navigation,  it  was 
not  thought  of  in  war  vessels.  The  reason  was,  the 
wheel-house  being  on  the  sides  of  the  steamers,  it  was 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  A  single  ball  or  shell 
would  crush  the  machinery  for  motion,  and  leave  the 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON.  63 

boat  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves  and  the  foe.  But  some 
were  introduced  because  of  speed,  and  the  room  on  deck 
for  platforms  and  wooden  railways,  on  which  the  cannon 
could  be  elevated  and  turned  in  different  directions. 

The  white  wings  of  canvas  were,  however,  the  prin- 
cipal dependence  in  the  movements  of  the  navy. 

In  our  Revolutionary  struggle,  and  in  the  last  war 
with  England,  the  frigates,  which  are  war  vessels  larger 
than  schooners,  and  not  so  large  as  the  regular  men-of- 
war,  or  ships  of  the  line,  did  the  best  fighting  on  the  sea. 
The  Constitution  and  the  Ironsides  every  boy  has  read 
of  in  the  history  and  poetry  of  the  land. 

Before  describing  the  next  grand  revolution  in  naval 
warfare,  you  must  learn  more  of  the  work  of  the  miner- 
boy  in  his  riper  years ;  for  the  navies  of  the  world  are 
indebted  to  him  for  two  of  the  most  wonderful  inventions 
ever  known,  or  ever  likely  to  be  known,  in  ships  of  war. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

The  New  Wonder — Birds  the  Inventor's  Instructors — The  Miniature  Ship  and 
Sea— The  Noiseless  Triumph. 

)HE  great  Swede  is  commissioijed  by  Providence 
to  add  to  the  naval  leviathans  a  new  wonder  of 
motion  and  strength,  whicli  is  itself  to  be  only 
the  herald  of  a  still  greater  one  many  years 
afterward  to  be  created — ^the  miner-boy's  Moni- 
tor. Hitherto,  as  you  have  seen,  all  sea-going  vessels 
were  moved  along  by  the  winds,  galleys  of  oars,  and 
wheels  at  the  sides,  acting  directly  on  the  water. 

Captain  Ericsson  had  observed  the  flight  of  birds,  and 
the  motion  of  fishes,  whose  swimming  power  is  chiefly  in 
their  tails.  If  you  have  not  watched  them,  and  will  do 
so,  you  will  soon  perceive  that  the  wings  and  fins  do  not, 
like  oars  and  wheels,  strike  nearly  in  a  direct  line  against 
the  air  and  water,  but  with  an  oblique  or  wavy  motion. 
The  eagle  cannot  turn  his  wing  horizontally,  i.  e.,  at  right 
angles  with  his  body.     Much  less  could  he  sweep  the  cir- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  66 

cle,  had  lie  the  power  to  attempt  it,  without  breaking 
bones,  or  at  least  twisting  and  bruising  the  muscles  and 
blood-vessels  and  tearing  the  plumage.  So  he  lifts  the 
pinion,  and  brings  it  down  with  an  oblique  blow  against 
the  air,  which  drives  him  along  in  whatever  direction  he 
steers  his  aerial  bark. 

It  is  by  a  similar  process  that  the  fish  uses  his  tail-fin, 
propelling  his  body,  which  he  guides  and  also  urges  along 
with  the  little  side-paddles  and  rudder  on  his  back. 

The  question  got  into  Captain  Ericsson's  massive 
brain,  and  would  not  leave  without  an  answer,  Why  can- 
not ships  be  borne  along  by  an  application  of  this  natural 
law  ?  He  thought  and  dreamed  in  his  very  sleep  over  it. 
There  was  a  serious  difficulty  to  which  we  have  indirectly 
alluded — the  wing  and  tale  did  not  revolve  ;  the  wheels  of 
the  ship  must  go  round.  But  God — whose  vsdsdom  is  in- 
finite, and  therefore  combines  the  greatest  variety  of  uses 
possible  in  the  perfect  adaptation  of  what  he  makes  to 
fulfil  its  design,  made  the  wings  and  fins  for  other  pur- 
poses besides  motion.  They  are  a  part  of  the  body,  and 
share  in  all  its  life  and  beauty.  God's  "  way  is  perfect." 
The  ethereal  and  the  submarine  navigators  are  specimens 
of  this  skill  which  unite  in  an  indivisible  whole  such  a 
number  and  variety  of  functions,  or  offices,  each  dependent 
upon,  and  in  entire  harmony  with  the  others.  But  in  the 
use  of  natural  elements  and  forces,  it  is  designed  that 
man  should  exercise  his  divine  inspiration  of  inventive 


66  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

thought.  "We  are  to  take  the  hiiits  which  the  creating 
mind  gives  us  in  the  perfect  workmanship  of  the  sovereign 
wiQ,  arid  overcome  difficulties  in  the  way  of  human  pro- 
gress, by  profound  study.  God  oiever  thinJcs — every  thing 
was  forever  and  will  always  be  present,  and  unclouded  to 
his  view.  We  must  thiak,  or  be  dwarfs  intellectually,  and 
morally  triflers.  For  all  genius  and  study  can  do,  is  to 
find  out  so  much  of  the  Infinite  in  his  works  and  word,  as 
to  advance  us  in  knowledge,  goodness,  and  usefulness, 
both  individually  and  in  all  social  relations.  The  genius 
of  Ericsson  had  taken  a  hint,  and  he  was  sure  it  would 
grow  into  a  practical  form. 

"  But,"  said  an  engineer,  "  you  will  lose  half  your 
motive-power — the  paddle  which  strikes  the  water  iq  a 
slaunting  or  oblique  direction,  instead  of  squarely — ^that  is 
to  say,  at  right  angles  like  the  wheels  of  steamboats — ^will 
not  push  as  hard.  It  will  slip  through  the  water  without 
propelling  the  vessel." 

The  Swede  had  thought  of  that,  and  replied :  "  You 
don't  reflect  that  the  lighter  the  blow  against  the  water,  the 
less  engine  power  will  he  required." 

Let  us  go  to  the  birds  again,  and  observe  how  easily 
and  gracefully  they  rise  with  this  semicircular  sweep  of 
their  wings.  You  can  perceive  at  once,  that  if  they  had  to 
strike  directly  against  the  air,  just  as  you  would  with  a 
fan,  or  your  hand,  it  would  demand  more  strength  while 
it  gave  a  greater  impulse  forward.     The  truth  is,  Captain 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  67 

Ericsson  at  first  supposed  there  was  force  in  the  objection. 
And  how  do  you  imagine  he  saw  the  fallacy  of  it  ? 

A  grand  and  Christian  idea  flashed  over  his  quick  and 
comprehensive  mind.  It  was  this  :  "  The  great  Mechani- 
cian^f  the  Universe,  in  enabling  the  birds,  insects,  and 
fishes  to  move  through  their  respective  elements,  had 
adopted  the  oblique  motion  as  a  universal  principle." 

He  was  sure  that  God  could  make  no  mistakes.  If  the 
honey-bee  had  taught  all  mathematicians,  in  the  structure 
of  the  cells  of  the  comb,  how  to  make  the  best  reservoirs  of 
the  sweet  drops,  combining  strength  with  economy— the 
life  and  instinct  of  other  animals  must  be  equally  true  to 
Him.  He  knew,  also,  that  men  are  slow  to  see  and  be- 
lieve that  there  is  a  law  of  compensation  for  any  apparent 
loss  everywhere,  if  we  will  find  and  apply  it.  Satisfied 
that  there  could  be  invented  and  built  machinery  with  the 
oblique  stroke,  which  would  be  an  improvement  in  many 
uses  of  it,  over  any  other — ^because  the  wisdom  of  Jeho- 
vah had  made,  and  was  constantly  filling  the  air  and  the 
waters  with  its  moving  life-barks,  large  and  small — he 
went  to  his  task. 

What  cares  he  for  the  French  Revolution  across  the 
Channel  ?  What  to  him  was  the  expulsion  of  the  Bour- 
bons, and  the  enthronement  of  Louis  Philippe — and  the 
whole  question  of  the  "  divine  right  of  kings,"  compared 
to  his  royal  privilege,  his  divine  right  to  interpret  prac- 
tically and  beneficially  to  the  race,  the   wisdom  of  the 


68  LIFE    OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

Almiglity  Sovereign?  Brave,  earnest,  high-priest  at 
nature's  shrine !  looking  from  it  "up  to  nature's  Grod." 
The  Lord  must.be  rigJit^  "whatever  philosophy,  falsely 
so  called,"  might  declare. 

Into  the  laboratory  like  a  hermit,  goes  the  uobte  in- 
ventor ;  for  whenever  he  has  a  task  of  the  kind,  he 
shuts  out  the  busy  world — will  scarcely  see  his  friends. 
From  morning  till  night  he  plies  the  pencil,  and  turns 
over  the  models.  It  is  no  unwilling  confinement  and 
labor.  His  genius  is  fired  with  a  new  discovery,  and 
glows  like  the  furnace-flame  upon  the  solution  of  his  prob- 
lem ;  the  tangible  and  successful  realization  of  it  in  human 
life.  He  is  to  create  a  water-bird,  or  mermaid  whose  mo- 
tions man  is  to  control  and  guide. 

Nobody  cares  for  the  secluded  toiler.  When  it  is 
mentioned  to  an  educated  mechanic,  or  an  inventor,  that 
Ericsson  has  so  curious  a  project  in  hand,  a  smile  of  in- 
credulity is  the  reply. 

The  millions  of  London,  and  the  king  on  his  throne, 
alike  keep  their  usual  course  of  varied  activity,  quite  un- 
conscious that  a  revolution  in  navigation — an  improve- 
ment that  will  be  felt  around  the  globe — ^is  in  that  un- 
slumbering  brain,  and  within  the  walls  of  his  narrow 
room. 

One  day  he  emerges  from  his  cherished  prison  with  a 
small,  odd-looking  boat  in  his  hands.  It  is  the  first  minia- 
ture propeller.     He  wends  his  way  through  the  streets, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON.  69 

attracting  an  occasional  glance,  and  the  question,  "  What 
is  that?" 

Reaching  a  large  circular  hath,  he  prepares  to  try  this 
little  copy  of  hird-motion.  The  engine  is  there — ^the 
wheel-work — all  but  the  boiler  and  steam. 

What  shall  be  done  ?  Has  the  inventor  come  to  see 
how  his  toy  will  look  on  the  water,  and  push  it  around 
with  his  hand?  You  do  not  think  this  of  him.  Busy 
hands  are  at  work  overhead.  Now,  there  is  a  steam- 
boiler  on  its  supports,  coming  down  to  a  short  distance 
from  the  surface  of  the  basin.  The  fire  is  kindled,  and 
soon  the  hissing  vapor  is  heard.  A  pipe  connects  the 
boiler  with  the  engine  in  the  boat.  Every  thing  is  ready. 
Captain  Ericsson  grows  somewhat  nervous.  The  moment 
to  demonstrate  the  value  of  his  discovery  has  come — ^the 
result  of  his  intense  study  for  many  long  days,  is  to  be 
tested.  Ten  thousand  hearts  would  beat  with  sympathy 
and  suspense,  did  they  know  how  much  for  the  future  of 
the  nations  was  then  and  there  on  trial.  The  steam  is 
turned  on,  and  down  it  rushes  along  the  tube  to  the  small 
piston-cylinder,  and  then  away  the  model  goes  around  the 
basin !  The  frail  bark  is  not  two  feet  in  length,  and  of 
course  can  manage  only  a  very  trifling  amount  of  steam. 
And  yet  it  swims  through  the  orbit  formed  by  the  rim  of 
the  bath,  at  the  rate  of  three  miles  an  hour.  Lift  your 
eye  to  that  manly  faoe,  and  mark  how  the  sunlight  of  a 
pure  delight  breaks  over  the  features  just  now  shaded 


TO  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

with  anxiety !  The  Shakspearian  forehead  seems  to  broad- 
en before  the  relieved  and  expanding  brain.  His  massive 
frame  grows  elastic,  and  he  starts  his  own  living  mechan- 
ism with  a  fresh  impulse  in  the  walks  of  useful  toil. 

"  'Tis  done  ! "  he  exclaims  ;  "  the  propeller  is  no  longer 
a  theory !  it  succeeds  beyond  my  hope  !"  How  noiseless 
the  triumph  of  genius  ! 

Many  a  victory  on  a  field  piled  with  the  mangled 
dead,  and  red  with  blood,  which  has  been  sung  by  a  na- 
tion, and  thundered  from  a  thousand  cannon,  has  been 
far  less  sublime  and  valuable  to  mankind,  than  the  quiet 
conquest  of  thought,  celebrated  on  the  margin  of  a  bath 
in  London  with  a  smile  and  a  few  words  of  exultation  ! 


CHAPTER  VI. 

What  is  a  Propeller  ? — Building  a  Ship— The  next  Toy  of  genius — The  "  Flying 
Devil " — Unwise  Great  Men — The  Excursion — The  Disappointment. 

HEAR  a  voice  of  inquiry  saying,  "  And  how  is  the 
propeller  made?  What  is  there  so  very  peculiar 
and  valuable  about  it?"  I  will  try  to  give  you  a 
true  and  plain  answer  to  this  natural  and  interest- 
ing question.  To  do  this,  I  will  begin  with  the 
building  of  a  ship. 

If  you  go  to  a  ship  yard,  the  first  glance  will  give  you 
only  a  bewildering  impression  of  hundreds  of  busy  men — 
axes  and  saws  in  motion — ^hammers  driving  home  bolts 
and  nails — with  here  and  there  a  partially-finished  hulk 
surrounded  with  all  sorts  of  lumber. 

There  is  system  and  perfect  order  through  all  this 
apparent  confusion.  Every  workman,  and  each  piece  of 
oak  and  cedar,  has  a  place  and  purpose. 

But  how  does  the  stately  vessel  grow  out  of  the  mate- 
rials and  labor  of  the  busy  manufactory  ? 


72  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSOIT. 

* 

Lpok  yonder  by  the  margin  of  the  water,  and  you 
will  notice  a  long  line  of  timber  laid  on  blocks,  and  in- 
clined toward  the  channel.  That  is  the  keel,  which  ex- 
tends the  whole  length  of  the  ship  to  he  built.  It  is  double — 
that  is,  there  is  a  false  keel  attached  to  the  first,  to  be 
removed  in  case  the  vessel  gets  in  shallow  water,  and 
thus  give  it  more  room.  The  slope  to  the  shore  is  for  the 
launching. 

The  next  work  is  setting  up  the  timbers  which  form 
the  skeleton.  The  curved  stem,  which  is  the  foundation 
of  the  prow,  is  put  in  its  place.  The  stem  timber  fol- 
lows. One  after  another,  the  side  parts  of  different  form 
are  adjusted.  The  keelson,  corresponding  in  its  direction 
with  the  keel,  is  run  along  the  ship's  length  higher  in  the 
framework  to  support  the  floors,  &c.  Iron  braces  to 
strengthen  and  bolts  to  fasten,  are  added.  Along  the 
sides  0^  the  ship,  at  water-mark,  runs  a  shelf.  This 
is  a  jutting  out  of  the  vessel's  side,  on  which  to  rest  the 
covering  or  woodwork  above. 

When  the  structure  has  reached  this  stage  in  its  pro- ' 
gress,  its  condition  is  similar  to  that  of  the  house  after 
^'the  raising."  The  covering  and  partitions  of  the  floors 
soon  enclose  and  divide  the  skeleton,  and  you  have  a  hulk 
resembling  in  shape  half  of  an  egg  cut  lengthwise.  The 
masts,  capstan,  chocks  for  running  the  ropes  through  to 
fasten  the  ship,  and  other  additions,  complete  the  form 
of  the  wooden  leviathan  of  the  deep. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  T3 

The  hour  for  the  launch  arrives.  The  owners  of 
the  finished  ship,  their  friends,  and  perhaps  hundreds 
of  curious  spectators,  assemble  to  witness  it.  The 
fine  structure  lies  in  the  ways — i.  e.,  the  frame  which 
supports  it  in  its  place.  The  blocks  that  hold  it 
on  the  inclined  plane  are  struck  out,  and  with  ex- 
cited people  on  the  deck  under  waving  banners,  off  the 
released  corsair  of  the  deep  moves — slowly  for  an  instant, 
and  then  with  rapid  motion  it  rushes  "stern-foremost" 
into  the  tide.  How  gracefully  kissing  the  water,  and 
then  righting  again,  the  creation  of  genius  and  skill  shoots 
across  the  channel  or  bay !  But  this  is  not  building  a 
propeller  ?  Yes,  until  you  come  to  masts,  or  talk  of  pad- 
dle-wheels for  a  steamer. 

Instead  of  either,  a  screw-wheel,  which  an  auger  will 
make  you  understand  as  well,  perhaps,  as  any  thing,  is 
laid  under  the  stern,  horizontally.  That  is  to  say,  the 
position  is  like  that  of  the  auger  lying  under  the  ship,  with 
the  iron  part  which  enters  the  handle,  connected  with  the 
machinery  to  turn  it  round.  The  steam  starts  the  piston, 
the  crank  revolves,  and  right  by  the  rudder  or  steering 
apparatus,  round  the  screw  goes,  the  oblique  surfaces 
jproj)elUng  the  vessel  along.  The  screw  makes  two  revo- 
lutions with  every  stroke  of  the  piston-rod.  This  allows 
a  slower  motion  of  the  steam-engine,  and  a  quicker  one 
of  the  wheels  in  the  same  time,  than  in  other  steamers. 

The  propeller  is  very  safe  on  another  account.     The 


74  LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON. 

machinery  for  locomotion  is,  as  you  perceive,  concealed 
and  protected — it  is  under  water.  All  this  which  has 
been  described,  was  in  the  model.  But  how  shall  the 
ship  be  built  ?  The  inventor  has  no  fortune,  but,  through 
the  confidence  of  a  few  friends,  the  means  are  secured  for 
beginning  the  vessel.  It  must  be  small.  The  keel,  which 
is  the  longest  timber,  for  a  boat  forty  feet  ui  length,  eight 
feet  in  width,  and  to  draw  three  feet  of  water,  is  laid.  It 
is  to  have  two  propellers,  each  five  feet  and  a  quarter  in 
diameter. 

The  ship-carpenters  are  curious  to  know  what  sort 
of  a  craft  this  "back-handed"  affair  wiU  be.  Captain 
Ericsson  watches  the  growth  of  his  little  ship  with  some- 
thing of  the  intense  feelings  he  had  when  the  model  took 
shape  under  his  hand,  till  it  was  launched  in  the  basin. 
The  flame  crackles  under  the  boilers,  and  their  tubes  fill 
with  steam.  The  cable  lies  coiled  on  the  deck,  and  the 
anchor  rests  unsoiled  by  the  channel's  bottom.  The  en- 
gineer's hand  is  on  the  lever,  the  next  moment  it  turns 
the  iron  bar ;  a  puff,  and  off  the  little  steamer  starts  at 
the  rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour  !  Captain  Ericsson  and  his 
friends  are  mute  with  glad  surprise  at  the  complete  suc- 
cess, with  no  delay,  in  the  adjustment  of  machinery.  Not 
a  wheel,  rod,  screw,  or  any  other  part  of  the  harness  of 
the  before  unknown  form  of  locomotion  had  to  be  touch- 
ed. Spectators  from  the  bridge  and  the  decks  watch  the 
spectre-like  navigator,  for  neither  wheels  nor  paddles  are 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICB801T.  75 

visible.  The  old  boatmen  of  the  Thames  stand  with  a 
stare  of  amazement  as  the  propeller  shoots  around  among 
the  "  craft,"  reminding  one  of  the  comet  among  the  stars, 
it  was  such  a  nondescript  of  naval  architecture. 

"  Hallo  there,  captain  !"  shouts  a  veteran  salt ;  "  I've 
been  to  sea,  and  up  and  down  this  river,  but  that  sort  of 
craft  was  never  seen  before.  What  do  you  call  her?" 
The  steamer  answered  with  a  louder  puff,  as  if  enjoying 
greatly  the  astonishment.  The  hands  gathered  in  groups 
on  the  boats  of  the  river,  gazing  and  talking  about  the 
mysterious  visitor.     But  no  explanation  could  be  obtained. 

The  propeller  is  next  fastened  to  schooners  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  tons  burden,  i.  e.,  designed  to  carry  that 
weight ;  and  with  ease  they  were  drawn  along  on  the  tide, 
at  the  rate  of  seven  miles  an  hour.  But  look  yonder  at 
that  stately  ship  riding  at  anchor.  It  could  carry  two  or 
three  of  those  schooners.  The  stranger  is  the  American 
packet  Toronto,  commanded  by  Captain  Griswold.  The 
fine  sailor  is  ready  to  spread  her  canvas,  and  "  stand  out 
to  sea."  The  propeller  curves  round  to  her  prow,  the 
rope  is  fastened,  and  the  snorting  steamer  moves  with  it 
into  the  stream,  five  miles  an  hour.  The  boatmen  watch 
every  motion,  and  try  to  discover  the  motive  power. 
But  all  that  can  be  discerned  while  the  vessel  goes  at  no 
mean  rate  against  wind  and  tide,  is  a  foaming  rush  of 
water  under  the  stern,  and  a  slender  wake,  as  if  a  large 
fish  were  under,  and  bearing  along  on  its  back,  the  plain, 


76  LIFE  OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

substantial  hulk.  At  length  a  shrewd  old  salt  says, 
while  he  looks,  "  Flying  Devil !"  The  name  just  suited 
the  superstitious  wonder  of  the  boatmen,  and  by  common 
consent  this  was  the  name  of  the  Ericsson  propeller — ^the 
first  in  the  history  of  the  world ! 

The  excitement  attending  the  advent  of  the  new  navi- 
gator soon  died  away,  and  then  came  the  more  important 
verdict  of  the  London  engineers.  They  eyed  the  propel- 
ler askance,  as  if  it  were  some  "  humbug,"  or,  at  best,  a 
useless  intruder  among  vessels  whose  right  to  the  waters 
was  established.  The  great  inventor  who  had  thought 
out,  and  then  wrought  out  the  little  steamer,  Jcnew  better. 
Every  part  of  it  was  in  accordance  with  natural  law.  It 
was  a  painful  surprise  and  disappointment  to  him,  that 
others  coolly  turned  away  from  the  creation  of  his  genius, 
and  would  consign  it  to  oblivion.  It  seems  strange  that 
the  mathematicians  and  mechanics  of  the  metropolis  of 
Europe,  and  in  aU  the  elements  of  greatness  of  the  world, 
should  not  have  discerned  what  was  so  clear  to  him,  the 
fitness  of  the  propeller  for  ships  of  war. 

His  next  endeavor  in  its  behalf  was  to  get  the  subject 
before  the  Lords  of  the  British  Admiralty.  "  And  what 
is  the  admiralty?"  a  reader  asks.  When  first  instituted 
it  was  the  office  of  Lord  High  Admiral.  It  gave  to  a 
nobleman  the  general  superintendence  of  the  royal  navy. 
But  afterward  six  lords  were  appointed  to  the  same  hon- 
orable position.     There  is  a  Court  of  Admiralty  for  the 


LIFE   OP   JOHN    ERICSSON.  77 

trial  of  causes  which  belong  to  the  naval  department. 
Like  all  the  official  business  of  the  British  empire,  the 
affairs  of  the  admiralty  are  conducted  in  aristocratic  style. 
England  has  been  proud  of 'her  navy,  until  recently  the 
boasted  "  mistress  of  the  seas."  The  offices  of  the  ad- 
miralty are  in  the  famous  Somerset  House,  to  which  al- 
lusion vdll  be  made  in  the  story  of  Mr.  Ericsson's  trial 
of  faith  and  hope  with  his  propeller.  It  was  originally 
built  by  Edward  Seymour,  Duke  of  Somerset,  the  Pro- 
tector under  Edward  YI.,  in  1549.  I  can  give  you  no 
idea  of  its  magnificence.  To  erect  the  noble  pile,  the 
duke  pulled  down  several  important  buildings,  and  would 
have  demolished  a  part  of  Westminster  Abbey,  could  he 
have  had  his  own  way.  But  the  Government  restrained 
his  vaulting  ambition.  The  interior  was  a  dazzling  dis- 
play of  luxury.  But  Seymour  was  an  impressive  illus- 
tration of  the  words:  "Pride  goeth  before  destruction, 
and  a  haughty  spirit  before  a  fall."  He  was  beheaded 
for  high-treason.  In  1775,  just  as  our  Revolutionary 
war  with  England  opened,  the  Somerset  House  was  par- 
tially taken  down  and  built  over  by  the  Government,  and 
became  the  headquarters  of  its  business.  In  it  the  mon- 
archy of  the  empire  lives,  more  truly  than  in  the  palace. 
Because,  without  its  vast  and  constant  work,  the  crown 
would  be  worthless.  Here,  in  apartments  almost  as  ele- 
gant as  those  of  Windsor  Castle,  the  Lords  of  Admiralty 
meet  in  their  official  capacity. 


Y8  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

Captain  Ericsson  succeeded  in  getting  the  half-hearted 
attentioQ  of  these  magistrates,  only  to  meet  with  a  new 
repulse  "from  that  august  body."  Undaunted  still,  he 
resolved  on  one  experiment  more,  although  it  would  in- 
volve him  in  considerable  expense.  The  plan  was,  to 
invite  those  lords  to  make  an  excursion  in  the  admiralty 
barge  in  tow  of  his  propeller.  He  could  not  doubt  the 
certainty  of  an  order  from  them  to  build  a  war-steamer 
on  the  same  principle,  when  once  they  had  scanned  its 
movements  more  closely.  The  invitation  was  accepted. 
The  bright  day  to  nature  and  to  his  hopes  came.  The 
barge  lay  before  the  Somerset  House,  on  the  Thames.  It 
was  a  gorgeous  boat  covered  with  gold,  and  lined  with 
damask.  The  richness  and  beauty  of  it,  with  the  dignity 
of  the  half  dozen  noblemen,  would  have  bewildered  a 
royal  parasite,  or  any  ambitious  admirer  of  titled  men. 
But  Captain  Ericsson  cared  little  for  display  beyond  prac- 
tical results — ^the  show  of  deeds  worthy  of  the  intellect,  and 
heart.  Look  toward  the  massive  steps  of  the  Somerset 
House.  Down  them  walk  Sir  Charles  Adam,  senior 
lord  of  the  admiralty ;  Sir  William  Simonds,  chief  con- 
structor of  the  British  navy  ;  Sir  Edward  Parry,  the  cele- 
brated commander  of  the  second  North  Pole  expedition ; 
-Captain  Beaufort,  the  chief  of  the  topographical  depart- 
ment of  the  British  admiralty,  and  several  other  gentle- 
men of  scientific  and  naval  distinction  ;  and  "  last  though 
not    least,"   excepting    in   official    rank,   Captain  John 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  79 

Ericsson.  They  enter  the  barge,  and  the  order  is  given 
to  lash  the  plain  little  steamer  to  the  magnificent  "floating 
palace  "  of  the  lords.  An  unseen  hand  turns  a  lever,  the 
steam  hisses,  the  screw  in  the  stem  of  the  tug  flies  round, 
and  away  the  Siamese  twms,  excepting  in  the  entire  want 
of  resemblance  to  each  other,  go  over  the  quiet  Thames. 
Now  for  the  great  work  in  hand !  Anticipating  the 
severest  scrutiny.  Captain  Ericsson  had  prepared  dia- 
gi'ams  of  his  invention.  They  exhibited  in  clear  and 
beautiful  outline  the  new  locomotive  power  on  water,  and 
the  relation  of  it  to  naval  vessels  for  warlike  purposes. 
There  the  accurate  pictures  lie  on  the  soft  damask,  simple 
and  yet  scientific.  The  inventor,  placing  his  finger  upon 
them,  begins  his  explanations.  Sir  Charles  Adam  and 
Sir  "William  Simonds,  two  of  the  most  important  person- 
ages present,  look  at  the  sheets,  listen  a  moment,  and 
glancing  at  him  and  then  at  each  other,  unmistakably 
mean,  if  they  do  not  say  it — "  What  of  it  ?  " 

The  keen  eye  of  Ericsson  watched  the  illustrious  jury 
while  he  continued  his  earnest  plea  for  the  propeller. 
But  each  in  turn  looked  wisely  indifferent,  shrugged  his 
shoulders,  and  shook  his  head,  while  in  low  tone  remarks 
were  exchanged,  all  indicating  pretty  distinctly  the  verdict 
which  would  be  rendered.  Neither  of  the  gentlemen  in 
the  barge  would  unkindly  wound  the  sensibilities  of  the 
noble  Swede ;  but  every  one  of  them  was  sure  he  could 
demonstrate   the  worthlessness   of  the   invention.     The 


80  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

naval  magi  of  the  grandest  empire  on  earth,  felt  that  they 
were  competent  to  show  him  and  the  world  what  a  fool 
he  had  made  of  himself  in  this  affair.  They  considerately 
spared  his  feelings,  any  further  than  the  significant  tokens 
of  wisdom,  and  rejection  of  the  uncomplaining  stranger 
puffing  away  by  the  side  of  the  barge,  were  concerned. 
That  stranger,  unheeding  them,  bore  the  barge  along  ten 
miles  an  hour.  Now,  through  the  lofty  arches  of  South- 
wark  Bridge  the  steamer  urged  its  way,  attracting,  partly 
on  account  of  its  singular  appearance,  but  more  because 
of  the  barge,  spectators  to  the  decks  of  the  shipping,  and 
to  the  railing  along  the  arches.  Then  again  the  scene 
changed  to  London  Bridge.  Upward  to  the  high  roof  the 
smoke  curled,  and  down  to  the  mysterious  traveller  and 
the  gorgeous  display  by  its  side,  the  wondering  eyes  of  a 
multitude  were  turned. 

"  What  do  you  call  that  craft  without  wheels  or  sails  ?" 
inquires  a  sailor,  who  saw  for  the  first  time  the  propeller. 

" Flying  Devil,  is  aU  the  name  I've  heard;"  replies 
another  who  witnessed  the  feat  with  the  Toronto. 

"  What  makes  her  go — a  spirit,  or  some  Yankee 
witchcraft  from  the  other  side  ?  " 

"Well,  there's  steam  you  see,  and  an  auger-wheel 
turns  down  there  under  the  stern.  But  how  'tis  done  you 
must  ask  somebody  that  knows,  for  I  don't." 

Exclaims  a  wag,  "Well,  that  looks  like  a  rough 
Highlander  married  to  a  Princess-Royal,  and  carrying 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  81 

her  along  in  his  arms."  At  length  the  steamer  and  its 
charge  reached  Limehouse,  and  the  steam-engine  manu- 
factory of  the  Messrs.  Seward. 

The  scene  changes  again,  and  to  an  amusing  contrast. 
Their  lordships  having  mentally  dismissed  from  attention 
the  propeller,  devote  their  time  to  more  important  matters. 

Around  the  sombre  buildings  lie  finished  and  unfin- 
ished marine  engines  of  different  forms.  English  fashion, 
they  are  heavy,  cumbrous  machines— looking  more  like 
"huge  piles  of  ill-shaped  cast  iron"  than  mechanism. 
They  were  designed  for  his  majesty's  steamers,  or  for  un- 
certain experiments.  The  learned  representatives  of  the 
British  navy  walk  over  the  ample  grounds  strewn  and 
piled  with  these  common  and  comparatively  unimportant 
wheels  and  angular  masses,  with  words  of  criticism  and 
commendation,  from  which  there  v/as  no  appeal,  excepting 
to  the  actual  trial  of  the  various  contrivances.  They 
pause  with  peculiar  interest  and  evident  delight  around 
the  Morgan  paddle-wheel — so  called  from  the  name  of  an 
inventor,  who  made  in  this  usual  method  of  propelling 
steamers  a  decided  improvement.  The  favorite  appara- 
tus is  observed  with  prolonged  devotion,  which  declares 
more  emphatically  than  words  could,  that  Captain  Erics- 
son's submarine  screw  had  letter  heep  out  of  the  noay  of 
those  paddle-wheels. 

The  lords  seemed  to  expand  with  conscious  greatness, 

while  their  admiring  looks  and  expressions  said : 
4* 


82  LIFE   OF  JOKNi    EEICSSON. 

"  Mr.  Swede,  you  can't  tell  '  John  Bull'  any  thing 
which  is  worth  knowing.  Just  fix  your  eye  on  this  fitting 
propelling  machine  for  our  ships,  if  you  want  to  sail  them 
with  steam.  But  we  respectfully  decline  to  allow  the 
possibility  of  a  rival  in  your  under-water  screw.  It 
would  be  as  sensible  and  proper  to  ask  us,  the  British 
Admiralty,  to  take  the  great  paddles  from  their  steamers, 
and  fasten  under  their  keel  immense  augers,  No,  Mr. 
Ericsson,  you  mean  very  well  undoubtedly,  but  you  are 
chimerical — ^you  are  not  EnglisTi." 

The  modest  inventor  could  make  no  other  interpreta- 
tion of  the  appearance  of  his  party  from  the  time  the 
princely  barge  left  Somerset  House  up  to  that  moment. 

Having  surveyed  thus  leisurely  the  iron  works  of  the 
Messrs.  Seward,  they  reentered  the  barge,  and  com- 
menced the  return  voyage.  Captain  Ericsson  felt  less 
sanguine  than  when  he  started,  but  stiU  hopeful  that  re- 
flection would  work  out  the  desired  result.  He  did  not 
urge  the  drawings,  nor  the  steamer,  on  their  further  no- 
tice. The  prows  cut  the  foam — the  banners  waved  in  the 
breeze — ^the  barge  glittered  and  hlusJied  in  the  sunlight 
— and  the  boatmen  stared  at  the  pageant,  tiU  the  little  tug, 
^having  done  all  that  was  promised,  swept  with  its  charge 
around  to  the  granite  edge  of  the  solid  wharf  near  the 
Somerset  House. 

The  distinguished  gentlemen  disembarked ;  and  as  they 
parted  with  the  propeller  and  its  inventor.  Sir  Charles 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  83 

Adam,  with  a  ludicrously  sympathizing  manner,  took  him 
cordially  by  the  hand,  and  said :  "  We  thank  you,  sir,  for 
the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  show  us  this  interesting  ex- 
periment. "We  fear,  sir,  that  you  have  incurred  too  much 
expense,  and  given  us  too  much  attention  on  the  occa- 
sion." 

And  thus  closed  the  admiralty  excursion.  Our  hero 
in  naval  science  and  labors  is  cowed  back  again  to  his  tug 
and  his  study. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

Tlie  Sublimely  Confident  Spirit— The  Letter— The  Eesult— The  Mystery— Ita 
Solution— The  fresh  display  of  Wisdom  by  the  Admiralty — The  Engineer- 
ing Corps— The  Swede  and  his  American  Friends. 

^^^HOUGHTFULLY,  and  under  the  shadow  of  an 
'^^  entirely  unexpected  neglect,  the  fine-looking 
Swede,  still  in  the  freshness  of  mature  youth, 
turns  away  toward  the  close  of  day,  with  a  glance 
of  interest  deepened  by  the  indifference  of  others, 
toward  his  anchored  steamer,  and  one  of  sad  annoyance 
upon  the  Somerset  House,  glowing  in  the  light  of  his 
expensive  holiday.  He  had  relied  upon  the  insight  of  the 
educated  minds  in  the  Board  of  British  Admiralty.  The 
bills  of  the  excursion  were  cheerfully  paid,  for  he  was  still 
confident  that  their  lordships  would  appreciate  and  ac- 
knowledge the  value  of  his  invention. 

With  patient  hope  he  waited  to  hear  the  result  of  the 
"  sober  second  thought." 

One  day  a  friend  called  with  a  letter  in  his  hand,  bear- 
ing the  official  seal  of  the  admiralty.     With  an  excite- 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  85 

ment  of  feeling  not  often  occasioned  by  a  similar  missive, 
lie  broke  the  envelope.  He  read  on  with  increasing  sur- 
prise. With  no  reasons  assigned,  the  burden  of  the  mes- 
sage was,  that  the  lords  of  the  admiralty  were  greatly 
disappointed  with  the  movements  of  the  propeller.  Cap- 
tain Ericsson  read  the  letter  again,  wondering  what  it 
meant.  The  little  steamer  had  run  over  the  turbid  Thames 
faster  than  any  paddle-wheel  boat  had  done,  on  so  small  a 
scale,  obeying  perfectly  the  helm. 

The  inventor  might  have  been  in  a  fog  dark  as  that  so 
common  in  London  externally,  to  the  present  time,  had 
not  a  mere  incident  occurred  to  clear  it  away.  Another 
friend  happened  to  be  present  at  a  dinner  where  Sir 
AYiUiam  Simonds,  chief  contractor  of  the  British  navy, 
who,  you  recollect,  was  one  of  the  excursionists  in  the 
barge,  was  also  a  guest.  The  conversation  naturally 
turned  upon  the  latest  naval  novelty.  Captain  Ericsson's 
ingenuity  and  energy  were  compKmented,  but — the  pro- 
peller must  prove  a  failure. 

Sir  ^(S^lliam  summed  up  the  case,  and  rendered  the 
verdict  of  the  admiralty  thus  : 

"  Even  if  the  propeller  had  the  power  of  propelling  a 
vessel,  it  would  be  found  altogether  useless  in  practice, 
hecause  the  power  being  applied  in  the  stern  it  would  be 
absolutely  impossiUe  to  make  the  vessel  steer." 

Oh,  oracular  Sir  William !  Though  your  splendid 
barge  was  borne  along  ten  miles  an  hour,  wherever  the 


86  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

governor  of  the  tug  listed,  and  a  pleasure  ride  has  been 
the  only  opportunity  of  observation,  your  vrisdom,  im- 
jpromptu,  sees  more  than  the  genius  of  the  Swede  could 
attain  in  months  of  almost  sleepless  study ! 

The  listening  company  are  satisfied,  and  of  course  pity 
the  foreigner  whose  time  and  money  are  wasted  on 
chimerical  inventions.  What  a  smile  of  merriment 
passed  around  the  board  sparkling  with  wine,  at  the  ludi- 
crous idea  of  steering  a  vessel  whose  locomotive  power 
is  attached  to  the  stern  !  When  people  can  walk  on  their 
heads,  or  horses  be  harnessed  to  the  back  part  of  the  wagon, 
then  could  the  propeller  be  guided  safely  over  the  waters  ! 
Nor  was  the  decision  of  the  admiralty  the  only  fatal  ex- 
pression of  English  indijfference  toward  Captain  Ericsson 
and  his  propeller.  The  engineering  corps,  designed  to  be 
the  best  practical  machinists  in  the  realm,  were  still  more 
emphatic  in  their  condemnation  of  the  new  navigator. 
In  private,  and  in  the  scientific  journals,  it  was  afiirmed 
that  the  invention  was  wrong  in  principle,  defective  in  con- 
struction, and  so  clearly  worthless  that  no  sane  man 
would  embark  in  the  enterprise. 

It  really  seems  all  over  with  the  Swede — he  must  cer- 
tainly abandon  his  propeller  or  England.  Do  you  not 
think  there  is  something  in  perseverance,  even  with  genius 
to  use  it?  It  has  carried  the  hero  of  engineering  over 
mountains  and  seas,  and  will  make  a  way  for  success  now, 
though  the  whole  of  scientific  England  is  trying  to  crush  him. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  87 

Captain  Ericsson  had  not  forgotten  that  Britain  had  a 
daughter  who  had  set  up  for  herself  across  the  Atlantic, 
quite  equal  to  the  mother  in  vigor  and  activity  of  thought. 
Indeed,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  first  propeller  would 
have  been  built,  had  not  a  liberal  American,  representing 
for  several  years  the  United  States  as  consul  at  Liver- 
pool— Francis  B.  Ogden,  Esq.,  appreciated  the  genius  of 
Ericsson.  He  was  one  of  the  few  friends  who  joined 
him  in  his  experiment,  and  his  name  was  borne  by  the 
craft  when  she  glided  from  her  ways  into  the  Thames. 

Mr.  Ogden  was  widely  known  and  respected  for  his 
gentlemanly  and  generous  character,  ever  ready  to  en- 
courage worthy  enterprises.  He  was  also  an  inventor  in 
the  applications  of  steam  to  locomotion.  Should  you 
happen  to  see  and  examine  marine  engines  having  "  right 
angular  cranks,"  the  engineer,  if  an  intelligent  man,  will 
tell  you  this  form  originated  with  Mr.  Ogden.  He  was  a 
pioneer  in  the  navigation  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
Elvers,  by  steaming  up  their  currents,  and  in  the  grander 
transit  over  the  ocean — "  the  world  of  waters" — without 
sails  or  oars. 

Even  now  the  work  of  the  great  foreigner  might  have 
stopped  or  been  greatly  delayed,  but  for  another  gifted 
visitor  from  the  new  Eepublic- — Captain  R.  F.  Stockton 
of  the  Navy,  since  Commodore.  He  had  for  several 
years  given  the  attention  of  his  enthusiastic  mind  to  gun- 
nery and  steam-engines.     His  grandfather  was  a  signer 


88         ,  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  was  with  Com  • 
modore  Rodgers,  of  the  President,  in  the  last  war  with 
England,  and  afterward  with  Commodore  Decatur  in  the 
war  upon  the  piratical  Algerines  ;  still  later,  he  went  to 
Africa  in  behalf  of  the  colonization  society,  and  secured, 
by  treaty,  the  territory  on  which  was  founded  the  Repub- 
lic of  Liberia. 

We  cannot  follow  this  popular  officer  through  his 
eventful  career,  but  I  will  give  you,  in  a  few  words,  a  lesson 
of  the  greatest  worth  to  all  the  young,  from  his  remark- 
able history :  "  During  his  whole  period  of  service,  he 
never  refused  or  declined  to  obey -a  single  order  of  the 
Navy  Department,  nor  did  he  ever  ask  to  have  any  order 
modified  or  withdrawn,  but  always  promptly  obeyed, 
whatever  might  be  the  personal  sacrifice  ;  nor  was  he,  in 
one  single  instance,  ever  reprimanded  hj  a  superior  in 
rank,  or  subjected  to  a  court-martial  for  any  acts  official 
or  otherwise."  Captain  Stockton,  who  had  devoted  much 
time  and  enthusiasm  to  gunnery  and  steam-engines,  was 
in  London  while  the  Francis  B.  Ogden  was  running  up 
and  down  the  Thames  to  the  people's  wonder,  and  the 
cool  contempt  of  the  British  engineers  and  Board  of  Ad- 
miralty. 

"  Captain  Stockton,  give  me  the  pleasure  of  your  com- 
pany in  an  excursion  on  my  propeller,"  said  Ericsson  to 
him  one  day. 

The  invitation  was  accepted.     And  now  watch  the 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  89 

little  steamer  pushing  out  on  the  Thames,  with  no  gor- 
geous barge,  and  no  dignified  lords  to  sit  in  judgment  on 
the  invention.  Captain  Stockton  walks  from  bow  to  stern, 
looks  down  upon  the  quiet  ivake  behind,  and  then  goes 
below  to  inspect  the  machinery. 

His  quick  and  discerning  mind  sees  at  once  the  reatit-^ 
of  the  new  motive  power.  There  was  to  him  a  revolu- 
tion in  naval  warfare  in  the  revolutions  of  that  curious 
fan-like  wheel  at  the  end  of  the  vessel.  Before  the  pro- 
peller could  get  from  London  Bridge  to  Greenwich,  he 
ordered  Captain  Ericsson  to  huild  two  iron  boats  for  the 
United  States  on  the  same  plan.  Bold  act  for  a  "  Yankee  " 
in  the  face  of  six  noblemen  and  several  times  as  many 
engineers ! 

Hear  his  manly  words  :  "  I  do  not  want  the  opinions 
of  your  scientific  men ;  what  I  have  seen  this  day,  satis- 
fies me." 

How  the  face  of  the  inventor  brightened  while  speech 
so  different  from  that  in  the  gay  barge  fell  on  his  ears. 
The  propeller  is  moored  at  Greenwich,  and  the  company 
proceed  to  a  sumptuous  dinner.  At  the  table  Captain 
Stockton  makes  a  fine  address ;  his  remarkably  clear 
voice  ringing  like  a  clarion  with  enthusiastic  predictions 
of  the  future  glory  of  the  invention.  Turning  to  Captain 
Ericsson,  he  said:  "We'll  make  your  name  ring  on  the 
Delaware,  as  soon  as  we  get  the  propeller  there." 

.The  earnest  and  decided   Stockton  fortunately  was 


90  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

rich;  for  he  had  to  build  the  steamers  on  his  own  ac- 
count. Then  he  tried  to  interest  our  Government  in  the 
great  invention.  He  expended  large  sums  in  getting 
plans  and  models  for  the  Naval  Department  at  Washing- 
ton, to  convince  them  of  the  value  of  the  propeller  for 
ships  of  war. 

Such  was  his  ardor,  and  assurance  of  national  patron- 
age, that  Captain  Ericsson  threw  up  all  his  engagements 
in  England  by  an  honorable  arrangement,  and  started  for 
America  in  the  British  Queen,  in  1839 — ^his  third,  and 
we  may  believe,  his  final  earthly  home. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Captain  Stockton  and  the  Naval  Department  of  the  United  States — The  new 
War- Vessel— The  Privateer  in  New  York  Bay — ^The  Eace — The  marvels  of 
the  Victor. 

^APTAIN  STOCKTON  urged  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment to  keep  up  with  other  nations  in  the  march 
of  improvement  on  the  ocean — to  get  ready  for 
the  hour  of  trial  of  strength  again,  on  the  war- 
plain  of  waters. 
But  he  found  some  of  the  self-conceit  and  pride  in 
regard  to  novelties,  which  had  tested  the  patience  and 
hope  of  the  Swede  in  England.  Wise  captains  and  offi- 
cials at  the  Capitol  were  sure  nothing  could  take  the  place 
of  sails  in  traversing  the  deep. 

At  length,  in  1841,  Captain  Stockton  was  permitted 
by  the  Government  to  construct  a  steam  ship-of-war. 
We  had  not  then  in  this  country  any  steam  vessels  in 
the  navy.  England  had  spent  immense  sums  in  trying  to 
use  the  paddle-wheels,  but  with  no  permanent  success  for 


92  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

the  fiery  work  of  battle.  The  building  of  the  war- 
steamer  went  slowly  on  for  nearly  two  years.  No  parent 
ever  watched  the  progress  of  a  child,  or  artist  his  growing 
and  fascinating  work,  with  more  intense  and  loving  care, 
than  Captain  Ericsson  did  the  rising  structure,  and  its 
equipment  for  sea-service.  Day  after  day,  week  after 
week,  he  issued  his  orders,  and  saw  them  carried  out  in 
his  first  American  war-steamer,  on  the  exact  plan  which 
had  been  rejected  by  the  English  Admiralty.  He  was 
soon  to  show  the  world  which  of  the  two  parties,  that 
naval  court  or  himself,  was  wise.  The  vessel  was 
launched,  at  length,  on  the  Delaware,  at  Philadelphia,  and 
at  once  awakened  the  deepest'  interest. 

The  autumnal  sun  of  October  20, 1843,  had  passed  the 
meridian,  and  lay  in  mellow  radiance  upon  New  York  City 
and  bay,  when  the  human  tides  went  surging  down  Broad- 
way toward  the  Battery.  It  needed  no  other  evidence  that 
some  unusual  spectacle  was  anticipated  by  the  multitude. 
Have  you  been  in  the  great  metropolis  on  a  similar  occa- 
sion ?  Then  you  will  not  forget  it.  How  the  throngs  of 
all  ages,  colors,  and  conditions  in  life,  pour  into  the  grand 
thoroughfare  from  the  streets  crossing  it,  making  the 
compact  lines  on  the  sidewalks,  between  which  omnibuses 
and  carriages  of  every  kind  are  passing,  look,  from  the 
elevation  in  the  street  near  Union  Square,  or  any  com- 
manding position,  like  moving  anacondas  miles  in  length, 
in  motion  through  every  part !     If  the  display  brings  out 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  93 

the  military  companies  and  the  banners,  an  exciting  and 
magnificent  sight  is  presented. 

On  this  October  afternoon  it  was  no  civic  or  martial 
holiday,  but  a  steam-re^a^i(a  on  a  small  scale — a  race 
between  two  ships — which  kept  the  stream  of  humanity 
sweeping  down  the  great  channel  of  life,  till  the  piers,  and 
all  standing  places  which  afforded  a  fair  view  of  the  har- 
bor, were  lined  and  covered  with  people.  The  eager  mul- 
titude are  gazing  up  and  down  the  bay.  Suddenly  that 
noble  steamer,  the  Great  Western,  whose  first  departure 
from  our  harbor  a  few  years  before,  attracted  a  greater 
throng  if  possible,  comes  in  sight.  It  was  then  the  finest 
specimen  of  naval  architecture  on  the  ocean.  It  was 
built  by  England,  and  admired  as  the  wonder  of  steam 
navigation  in  its  speed,  beauty,  and  security.  No  better 
engines  were  carried  by  any  ship,  while  its  canvas- wings 
were  large,  and  moved  around  tall  and  substantial 
masts. 

The  city  was  moved  by  the  departure  of  this  model 
"  floating-palace,"  and  crowded  the  wharves  to  see  it 
glide  gracefully  into  the  waters  that  washed  the  distant 
shores  of  England.  That  scene  was  not  forgotten. 
Majestically  now  the  Great  Western  moves  toward  the 
Battery.  The  volume  of  smoke  rises  darkly  from  the 
fiery  heart  below,  and  with  clouds  of  steam  half  mantle 
the  ship  from  view.  The  wheels  revolve  with  unusual 
rapidity,  and  every  sail  is  set.      The  white  foam  rolls 


94  LIFE  OF  JOHN  ERICSSON.  > 

away  shoreward,  like  a  billowy  snow-drift  parted  by 
the  rushing  locomotive.  It  was  a  grand  march  of  the 
ocean  leviathan  through  the  waters.  Now  she  is  passing 
the  Battery,  and  "  hurrah  !  hurrah ! !"  makes  the  "  wel- 
kin ring  again."  How  proudly  the  good  ship  flings  out 
her  defiance  of  competition  in  the  spray  that  rises  in 
showers  from  her  prow ! 

The  shouts  of  the  multitude  endorse  the  challenge. 
Away  she  moves  swiftly  and  gracefuUy,  a  fourth  of  a 
mile  from  Castle  Garden,  when  ten  thousand  eyes  are 
turned  toward  the  North  River.  What  is  that  frigate-like 
ship,  beautiful  in  outline,  riding  down  against  the  tide? 
No  columns  of  smoke,  no  jets  of  steam,  no  paddle-wheels 
or  sails  are  visible.  A  model  of  naval  architecture,  like  a 
spirit  the  strange  competitor  in  the  race  glides  right  on- 
ward toward  the  Great  Western.  Fresh  volumes  of 
smoke,  and  whiter  clouds  of  steam,  wrap  this  queen  of 
our  seas,  and  revolving  wheels,  spray,  and  foam,  reveal 
the  panting  haste  to  elude  the  new  rival  to  her  supremacy. 
Steadily  gaining,  the  singular  craft  reaches  and  passes  the 
Great  Western.  Not  content  with  this  victory,  a  circle 
around  her  is  swept,  and  again  she  is  left  behind.  The 
successful  racer  is  the  war  steamer  Princeton,  whose 
engine  of  motion  is  Ericsson's  Propeller.  Commercial 
and  marine  speculators,  who  just  now  laughed  at  the 
stranger,  begin  to  disparage  the  favorite  paddle-wheel, 
and  speak  with  respect  of  the  victorious  Princeton.     How 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  95 

unwieldy  and  exposed  in  her  machinery  is  the  Great 
"Western  compared  with  the  propeller  ! 

Mr.  Mallory,  of  Florida,  declared  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States,  years  afterward,  that  the  "  Princeton  was 
the  foundation  of  the  present  steam-marine  of  the  world. 
And  hereafter  to  send  sail  vessels  into  naval  war  service, 
was  to  have  them  captured." 

Having  looked  at  the  Princeton  afloat,  and  winning 
the  day  in  the  chase,  let  us  go  aboard  and  examine  the 
interior  arrangements  which  shed  lustre  on  the  inventor's 
name.  The  spiral  plates  at  the  end  of  the  revolving  shaft, 
which  have  the  „bird-wing  motion,  and  are  under  the  ves- 
sel's stern,  are  made  of  "  composition  metal."  This  is 
resorted  to,  because  the  copper  bottom  of  the  ship,  acted 
upon  by  salt  water,  gives  out  a  galvanic  force  which  cor' 
rodes  iron,  a  process  of  decay  that  would  soon  render  the 
machinery  useless.  Next  above  this  cylinder  and  its 
wings,  on  the  other  side  of  the  ship's  bottom,  we  have  an 
entirely  new  form  of  steam  engine  to  move  them.  The 
"  old-fashioned"  boiler  and  the  machinery  connected  with 
it,  could  not  be  placed  lelow  the  water-line  ;  that  is,  lower 
than  the  part  of  the  vessel  seen  above  the  surface  of  the 
water.  It  was  a  thing  unheard  of  till  then.  When  you 
sit  on  the  deck  of  a  paddle-wheel  steamer,  you  can  hear 
and  feel  the  hot  pipes  from  the  boiler,  and  even  watch  the 
engine's  motion.  In  the  Princeton  this  you  could  not  do. 
The  whole  motive  power  was  beneath  every  thing  but  the 


96  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

partition  which  kept  out  the  flood — the  walls  between  the 
iron-harness  of  the  steam  and  the  deep. 

Captain  Ericsson  had  invented  and  built  an  engine,  so 
small,  powerful,  symmetrical,  and  exact,  that  it  could  be 
put  in  very  narrow  quarters,  and  "  work  like  a  charm.'* 
He  obtained  a  patent  for  it  in  England  and  America.  Its 
name  is  the  "  semi-cylindrical  engine,"  because  of  the 
form  of  the  cylinders.  They  are  not  round  as  in  other 
engines,  but  half-circles.  The  piston-strokes,  which  you 
have  observed  and  heard  in  steamers,  up  and  down  verti- 
cally^ have  a  pendulum  motion,  in  a  horizontal  direction. 
The  piston-rods  vibrate  somewhat  as  the  ordinary  ones 
would  if  the  cylinders  were  laid  lengthwise  on  the  deck. 
Unless  you  have  studied  the  steam-engine  thoroughly, 
and  have  seen  this  beautiful  creation  of  genius,  you  can- 
not understand  or  appreciate  the  novelty  and  value  of  it. 
It  required  only  one-eighth  of  the  room  occupied  by  a 
British  marine  engine  of  the  same  power,  and  weighed 
less  than  half  as  much.  And  then,  far  less  machinery 
was  required,  while  greater  power  was  obtained.  Did 
you  notice  outside  that  there  is  no  tall  smoke  pipe,  rising 
like  an  iron  chimney,  to  make  a  draft  to  kindle  the  fire 
and  keep  it  burning?  Would  you  like  to  know  why? 
Examine  more  closely  the  inside  work  and  you  will  ob- 
serve a  curious  contrivance,  resembling  wind-mills,  whose 
fans  revolve  very  swiftly  when  the  steam  "  is  up."  These 
humming  wheels  with  their  frames  are  called  ''  Mowers." 


LIFE  OP  JOHN   ERICSSON.  97 

They  are  in  the  bottom  of  the  ship,  and  throw  in  a  cur- 
rent of  air  upon  the  furnaces  so  strong,  that  the  height  of 
the  pipe  is  of  small  importance.  It  is  not  more  than  five 
feet  high,  and  even  if  blown  or  shot  away,  the  fires  would 
still  burn.  You  will  no^  find  these  blowers  on  aU  the 
steamers  using  anthracite  coal.  You  cannot  well  avoid 
noticing  them  on  the  promenade  decks  of  common  river 
steamers  using  the  coal.  In  finishing  and  furnishing 
the  Princeton  for  fighting  on  the  sea,  the  genius  of  Stock- 
ton and  that  of  Ericsson  were  both  employed,  the  two 
inventors  working  like  brothers  together.  The  former 
believed  that  larger  cannon  than  any  before  used  could  be 
made  of  wrought  instead  of  cast-iron ;  that  is,  fashioned 
by  machinery  and  hammers,  instead  of  run,  when  the  iron 
is  melted,  into  a  mould.  He  had  two  great  guns  manu- 
factured, one  in  England  weighing  seven  tons,  the  other 
was  forged  by  Ward  &  Co.,  of  the  Phoenix  Foundry,  New 
York,  and  weighed  ten  tons.  The  bore  of  the  latter  is 
twelve  inches  in  diameter,  and  it  carried  a  ball  of  two 
hundred  and  thirteen  pounds  weight. 

The  next  question  was  how  to  manage  on  the  ship's 
deck  such  immense  instruments  of  death  and  destruction. 
The  exhaustless  brain  which  conceived  the  propeller,  and 
the  wonderful  engine  of  the  Princeton,  answered  that  in- 
terrogation. A  new  gun-carriage  was  soon  invented  and 
ready,  which  would  control  the  tremendous  recoil,  or 
5 


98  LIFE  OP  JOHN  ERICSSON. 

homid  hachward,  when  the  charge  rushed  forth  with  its 
thunder-peal.  Not  only  so,  but  with  this  carriage  a  few 
men  could  handle  the  massive  iron  tubes  with  ease.  It 
was  also  made  of  wrought  iron.  Besides  this  remarkable 
mechanism,  he  contrived  a  curious  lock,  with  which  the 
law  of  gravitation  and  the  rolling  of  the  sea  would  dis- 
charge the  gun  without  a  human  hand. 

In  1828  he  showed  it  to  Sir  Henry  Vane,  at  the  head 
of  the  British  Ordnance  Department,  but  he  would  not 
test  it  unless  a  number  of  officers  could  be  appointed  to 
sit  with  him  in  the  examination ;  and  as  that  would  let 
the  secret  out.  Captain  Ericsson  preferred  to  lock  up  the 
lock  in  his  safe.  Captain  Stockton  was  again  wiser  than 
the  lords  of  England,  and  saw  something  in  the  invention. 
Nor  did  the  Swede  stop  here.  He  gave  to  his  friend,  and 
to  the  world,  an  instrument  for  getting  in  a  few  seconds 
any  distance  at  sea,  from  four  hundred  and  fifty  to  four 
thousand  yards. 

You  will  readily  understand,  my  young  reader,  that 
for  only  a  little  way  can  a  gun  be  fired  direct,  or  in  a 
straight  line ;  because  allowances  must  be  made  for 
gravitation  drawing  the  ball  down  toward  the  earth. 
To  remedy  this,  when  an  object  is  distant,  to  hit  it,  the 
cannon  must  be  elevated^  to  make  allowance  for  the  falling 
motion.  It  is,  of  course,  important  to  know  exactly  how 
far  off  the  ship  or  fort  on  the  shore  is,  to  aim  right.  Up 
to  that  time  various  contrivances  had  been  employed,  but 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  99 

none  were  accurate.  Captain  Ericsson  produced  just  the 
beautiful  and  correct  instrument  for  the  valuable  service 
of  the  gunner.  It  tires  one's  brain  to  think  of  such  cease- 
less work  of  another's  thought. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


What  Captain  Stockton  says  of  the  Ship — The  Mysterions  'Warrior— The 
ful  "Work  of  the  Propeller — "What  it  is  doing  now. 

LTHOUGH  you  cannot  remember  the  enthusiasm 
awakened  wherever  the  Princeton  was  seen, 
you  will  read  with  interest  the  captain's  descrip- 
tion of  his  toy,  written  in  the  unsoHed  cabin, 
twenty  years  ago.  I  forgot  to  tell  you  the  name 
of  the  vessel  was  given  in  honor  of  his  home  then,  and 
now,  in  the  summer  time,  the  capital  of  New  Jersey. 

The  following  letter  of  Captain  Stockton,  descriptive 
of  his  noble  ship,  will  be  read  with  interest ;  although 
none  of  my  readers  can  remember  the  sensation  produced 
by  the  Princeton  on  her  first  appearance  in  our  waters  : 

"United  States  Ship  Princeton,      ) 
Philadephia,  February  5,  1844.  ) 

"  Sir  : — The  United  States  ship  Princeton  having  re- 
ceived her  armament  on  board,  and  being  nearly  ready 
for  sea,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  the  following 
account  of  her  equipment,  &c. : 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  "        101 

"  The  Princeton  is  a  'full-rigged  ship,'  of  great  speed 
and  power,  able  to  perform  any  service  that  can  be  ex- 
pected from  a  ship-of-war.  Constructed  upon  the  most 
approved  principles  of  naval  architecture,  she  is  believed 
to  be  at  least  equal  to  any  ship  of  her  class  with  her  sails. 
She  has  an  auxiliary  power  of  steam,  and  can  make 
greater  speed  than  any  sea-going  steamer  or  other  vessel 
heretofore  built.  Her  engines  lie  snug  in  the  bottom  of 
the  vessel,  out  of  reach  of  an  enemy's  shot,  and  do  not  at 
all  interfere  with  the  use  of  the  sails,  but  can  at  any  time 
be  made  auxiliary  thereto.  She  shows  no  chimney  and 
makes  no  smoke,  and  there  is  nothing  in  her  external  ap- 
pearance to  indicate  that  she  is  propelled  by  steam. 

"  The  advantages  of  the  Princeton  over  both  sailing- 
ships  and  steamers,  propelled  in  the  usual  way,  are  great 
and  obvious.  She  can  go  in  and  out  of  port  at  pleasure, 
without  regard  to  the  force  or  direction  of  the  wind  or 
tide,  or  the  thickness  of  the  ice.  She  can  ride  safely  with 
her  anchors  in  the  most  open  roadstead,  and  may  lie  to  in 
the  severest  gale  of  wind  with  safety.  She  can  not  only 
save  herself,  but  will  be  able  to  tow  a  squadron  from  the 
dangers  of  a  lee  shore.  Using  ordinarily  the  power  of 
the  wind,  and  reserving  her  fuel  for  emergencies,  she  can 
remain  at  sea  the  same  length  of  time  as  other  sailing- 
ships.  Making  no  noise,  smoke,  or  agitation  of  the  water 
(and,  if  she  chooses,  showing  no  sail),  she  can  surprise 
an  enemy.     She  can  at  pleasure  take  her  own  position 


102       ^  LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

and  her  own  distance  from  the  enemy.  Her  engines  and 
water-wheel  being  below  the  sm*face  of  the  water,  safe 
from  an  enem/s  shot,  she  is  in  no  danger  of  being  dis- 
abled, even  if  her  masts  should  be  destroyed.  She  will 
not  be  at  a  daily  expense  for  fuel,  as  other  steamships  are. 
The  engines  being  seldom  used,  will  probably  outlast  two 
such  ships.  These  advantages  make  the  Princeton,  in  my 
opinion,  the  cheapest,  fastest,  and  most  certain  ship-of- 
war  in  the  world.  The  equipments  of  this  ship  are  of  the 
plainest  and  most  substantial  Mnd — ^the  furniture  of  the 
cabins  being  made  of  white  pine  boards,  painted  white, 
with  mahogany  chairs,  table,  and  side-board,  and  an 
American-manufactured  oil-cloth  on  the  floor.  To  econo- 
mize room,  and  that  the  ship  may  be  better  ventilated, 
curtains  of  American-manufactured  linen  are  substituted 
for  the  usual  and  more  cumbrous  and  expensive  wooden 
bulkheads,  by  which  arrangement  the  apartments  of  the 
men  and  officers  may  in  an  instant  be  thrown  into  one, 
and  a  degree  of  spaciousness  and  comfort  is  attained  un- 
usual in  a  ship  of  her  class.  The  Princeton  is  armed 
with  two  long  225-pound  wrought-iron  guns  and  twelve 
42-pound  carronades,  all  of  which  may  be  used  at  once  on 
either  side  of  the  ship.  She  can  consequently  throw  a 
greater  weight  of  metal  at  one  broadside  than  most 
frigates.  The  big  guns  of  the  Princeton  can  be  fired 
with  an  ejBfect  terrific  and  almost  incredible,  and  vdth  a 
certainty  heretofore  unknown.     The  extraordinary  effects 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  103 

of  the  shot  were  proved  by  firing  at  a  target,  which  was 
made  to  represent  a  section  of  the  two  sides  and  deck  of 
a  seventy-four-gun  ship,  and  timbered,  kneed,  planked, 
and  bolted  in  the  same  manner.  This  target  was  five 
hundred  and  sixty  yards  from  the  gun.  With  the  smaller 
charges  of  powder  the  shot  passed  through  these  immense 
masses  of  timber  (being  fifty-seven  inches  thick) ,  tearing 
it  away  and  splintering  it  for  several  feet  on  each  side, 
and  covering  the  whole  surface  of  the  ground  for  a  hun- 
dred yards'  square  with  fragments  of  wood  and  iron.  The 
accuracy  with  which  these  guns  throw  their  immense  shot 
(which  are  three  feet  in  circumference),  may  be  judged 
by  this  :  that  six  shot  fired  in  succe&sion  at  the  same  ele- 
vation struck  the  same  horizontal  plank  in  a  target  more 
than  half  a  mile  distant.  With  Ericsson's  fine  instrument 
for  the  purpose,  the  remoteness  of  any  object  may  be  as- 
certained by  an  observation  which  it  takes  but  an  instant 
to  make.  By  self-acting  locks,  the  guns  can  be  fired  ac- 
curately at  the  necessary  elevation,  no  matter  what  the 
motion  of  the  ship  may  be.  It  is  confidently  believed  that 
this  small  ship  will  be  able  to  battle  with  any  vessel,  how- 
ever large,  if  she  is  not  invincible  against  any  foe.  The 
improvements  in  the  art  of  war  adopted  on  board  the 
Princeton,  may  be  productive  of  more  important  results 
than  any  thing  that  has  occurred  since  the  invention  of 
gunpowder.  The  boasted  greatness  of  other  navies  may 
be  set  at  naught.     The  ocean  may  again  become  neutral 


104  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEIOSSON. 

ground,  and  the  rights  of  the  smallest  as  well  as  the  great- 
est nations  may  once  more  be  respected., 

"  All  of  which  for  the  honor  and  defence  of  every  inch 
of  our  territory,  is  most  respectfully  submitted  to  the 
honorable  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  for  the  information  of 
the  President  and  Congress  of  the  United  States, 

"  By  your  obedient  and  faithful  friend, 

"E.  F.  Stockton, 

"  Captain  U.  S.  ITa/cy, 
"  To  Hon.  David  Henshaw, 

"  Secretary  of  the  NavyP 

In  the  proud  navy  of  the  British  Empire,  and  in  that 
of  France,  there  was  no  fiery-hearted  leviathan  that  could 
equal  the  Princeton  in  speed,  beauty,  and  security.  And 
then  almost  smokeless^  the  warrior  marched  over  the  waters 
— and  at  night  the  pathway  was  noiseless,  giving  an 
enemy,  by  neither  signal  common  to  other  steamers,  any 
warning  of  the  approach  of  the  formidable  foe. 

To  a  great  degree  independent  of  winds  and  waves, 
and  shot,  on  the  waste  of  waters,  it  is  not  strange  that 
the  world  watched  and  wondered,  while  this  solitary  cor- 
sair, of  the  kind,  seemed  to  be  the  monarch  of  the  seas — 
the  giant  destined  to  wrest  the  sceptre  from  fabled  Nep- 
tune's hand,  and  defy  the  fleets  of  the  world. 

"But  is  the  propeller  good  only  for  warfare?"  you 
may  ask,  unless  you  have  travelled  by  steam,  or  Uve  on 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  105 

the  green  banks  of  some  river,  or  on  the  shore  of  old 
ocean.  Its  triumphs  are  greater  as  a  peacemaker  than 
fighter.  Hitherto  it  had  been  difficult  to  use  wind  and 
steam — or,  in  other  words,  to  make  sails  and  paddle- 
wheels  work  together.  For,  when  a  nice  breeze  came 
freshly  against  the  canvas,  the  vessel  would  careen  or 
turn  sidewise,  lifting  one  of  the  wheels  entirely  or  par- 
tially from  the  water  ;  and  like  a  broken-winged  bird,  the 
ship  was  off  balance. 

But  the  propeller  does  not  mind  Boreas  at  all.  Let 
the  vessel  lie  on  one  end,  unless  standing  on  its  prow,  or 
lie  on  either  side,  and  the  spiral  plates  away  under  the 
stern  revolve  and  push  the  freighted  craft  through  the 
foam.  If  fuel  is  low,  the  captain  has  only  to  shut  off 
steam,  touch  a  lever,  and  release  the  propelling  part,  let- 
ting it  whirl  idly  around.  Then  it  does  not  affect,  to  any 
extent,  the  speed  of  the  ship  under  the  outspread  canvas 
wings. 

If  the  fan-shaped  wheel  were  fast  to  the  engine,  and 
drawn  thus  through  the  water,  you  will  perceive,  upon  a 
moment's  reflection,  that  it  would  seriously  retard  the 
progress  of  a  ship  when  it  was  not  in  use.  And  now  all 
seas  and  rivers  are  bored  by  these  "  screw  steamers."  I 
allude  to  the  "  tugs."  Ships  great  and  small  are  traversing 
the  waters  borne  safely  and  rapidly  along  by  the  power  God 
first  gave  to  birds  and  fishes ;  and  which,  when  learned 

by  a  single  man,  was  rejected  by  others  in  high  places  of 

5* 


106  LITE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

royalty.  How  wonderfully  the  Lord  and  Redeemer  of  the 
race,  in  his  providence,  leads  the  human  mind  and  sight 
to  Ms  stores  of  knowledge  and  wealth !  The  compass, 
printing,  steam,  coal  mines,  and  now  oil  wells,  show  us 
how  wisely  he  adapts  discovery  and  invention  to  the  edu- 
cation of  the  world,  and  its  preparation  for  a  promised 
millennium. 


CHAPTER  X. 


The  Congressional  Excursion  on  board  the  Princeton— The  Captain  and  his 
Ship— Coronation  Dinner— The  Second  Excursion — The  Terrible  Accident— 
The  Cause  of  it 


)N  the  twentieth  day  of  February,  1844,  the  Prince- 
ton was  a' floating  hall  of  Congress.  The  novel 
and  magnificently-armed  war-ship  was  full  of 
social  life  under  the  flying  banners  of  our  coun- 
try. I  will  give  you  glimpses  of  the  scenes  of 
that  memorable  excursion,  from  the  pen  of  one  of  the 
favored  party ;  because  it  will  make  the  ahnost  forgotten 
and,  romantic  incident  seem  like  an  exciting  pageant  of  the 
present : 

"  Washington,  Tuesday,  February  20,  1844. 
"  When  the  Queen  of  Sheba  visited  King  Solomon, 
who,  it  is  said,  was  somewhat  partial  to  ladies,  she  de- 
clared upon  her  sacred  honor  that  not  the  half  had  been 
told  her  of  the  power  and  glory  and  gallantry  of  the  illus- 
trious philosopher-king,  the  mighty  successor  of  the  min- 


108  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

strel^onarcli  of  the  golden  city  of  Zion  ;  so  it  is  impos- 
sible to  tell  you  the  half  that  we  saw  and  heard  and 
enjoyed  in  the  excursion  given  to  the  House  of  Eepre- 
sentatives  by  Captain  Stockton,  of  the  steam  frigate 
Princeton,  this  day. 

"  The  morning  was  propitious,  auspicious,  and  toler- 
ably delicious.  The  atmosphere,  it  is  true,  was  rather 
misty  and  overclouded,  but  the  wind  was  from  the  right 
quarter,  the  golden  angel  upon  the  steeple  of  the  Rev.  O. 
B.  Brown's  church  held  her  trumpet  steadfastly  to  the 
south.  At  half-past  ten,  in  company  with  two  of  our 
representatives,  Messrs.  Morris  and  McCauslen,  of  the 
House,  we  set  out  on  foot  for  Greenlief  s  Point,  at  the 
southern  extremity  of  the  city,  distant  about  two  miles ; 
but  the  mud  was  impassable,  and  so  we  accepted  the  offer 
of  a  passing  hackman  and  rode  it. 

"  Arrived  at  the  landing,  we  discovered  the  Prince- 
ton, with  her  graceful  keel,  her  tall  and  tapering  spars, 
lying  but  a  mile  off  in  the  stream.  Several  boats  and  a 
'broadhom'  were  kept  flying  to  and  fro  between  ship  and 
shore  for  nearly  an  hour,  in  the  transportation  of  the  party. 

"  The  marines  were  discovered  drawn  up  in  line  on 
the  upper  deck  as  we  mounted  through  the  porthole. 
When  the  whole  company  of  visitors  were  aboard  (some 
three  hundred  persons)  the  ship  was  put  in  motion  by  her 
invisible  and  almost  noiseless  machinery  in  the  hold.  We 
found  the  Princeton   armed  with    twelve    42-poundera 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  ERICSSON.  109 

and  two  tremendous  pieces  of  ten  tons  weight  each  of 
wrought  iron,  carrying  a  ball  of  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
pounds  for  two  miles  with  the  precision  of  a  rifle,  all  on 
the  upper  deck.  The  two  great  guns  are  fixed  at  the  bow 
and  stern  of  the  ship,  and  are  called  the  '  Peacemaker ' 
and  the  '  Oregon.'  These  two  '  bursters '  are  as  bright 
as  Aunt  Peggy's  pewter  plates  on  Saturday  evening,  shin- 
ing all  in  a  row  on  the  top  shelf  of  the  kitchen-cupboard. 
When  the  ship  was  fairly  under  way.  Captain  Stockton, 
mounting  one  of  the  guns,  said :  '  Now,  gentlemen  of  the 
House  of  Eeprcsentatives,  fellow-citizens,  and  shipmates, 
we  are  going  to  give  a  salute  to  the  wisdom  of  this  mighty 
republic  (God  bless  her  !)  in  Congress  assembled.  Stand 
firm  and  you  will  see  how  it  feels  ! '  In  rapid  succession 
the  pieces  were  fired,  the  ship  thrilling  and  the  distant 
hills  reverberating  with  the  thunder  peals.  The  instan- 
taneous combustion  of  forty  pounds  of  gunpowder  in  a 
discharge  from  the  'Peacemaker'  closed  the  round  of 
twenty-six  guns.  The  deck  of  the  ship  was  enveloped  in 
smoke.  We  came  near  falling  over  the  venerable  ex- 
President  Adams  in  the  momentary  darkness.  Captain 
Stockton's  voice  rose  high  amid  the  din  of  battle.  '  It's 
nothing  but  honest  gunpowder,  gentlemen ;  it  has  a  strong 
smell  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  but  it's  none 
the  worse  for  that.  That's  the  kind  of  music  when  nego- 
tiations fail.  It  has  a  little  ring  of  the  earthquake,  but  it 
tells  handsomely  on  salt  water.' 


110  LIFE  OF  JOHN  ERICSSON. 

"  In  due  season  the  deputation  of  visitation  were 
called  to  dinner  in  the  cabin  on  the  middle  deck,  extend 
ing  the  whole  length  of  the  ship.  It  was  a  feast  of  sub- 
stantial and  delicacies  worthy  the  coronation-day  of  a 
South  American  emperor.  Ducks  and  chickens,  turkeys 
and  hams,  beef  d-la-mode,  partridges,  &c. ;  ice  creams, 
oranges,  apples,  raisins,  almonds,  &c. 

"  The  ship  passed  below  Alexandria,  till  the  hill  of 
Mount  Vernon  and  the  sacred  residence  of  Washington 
loomed  into  view  on  the  right,  and  the  frowning  battle- 
ments of  Fort'  "Washington  on  the  left,  when  she  turned 
about  and  returned.  Several  experimental  shots  were 
made  from  the  '  Peacemaker'  during  the  trip  ;  and  those 
solid  balls  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  pounds  skimmed  the 
surface  of  the  water  for  several  miles  with  the  lightness 
of  an  arrow. 

"  The  utter  astonishment  and  amazement  which  she 
created  among  the  inhabitants  upon  the  banks  of  the  river 
is  not  easily  conceived,  as  they  behold  this  fairy  phantom- 
ship,  without  a  patch  of  sail  spread  upon  her  spars,  or  a 
living  soul  upon  her  decks — ^without  the  slight  evidence 
of  steam,  fire,  light,  or  life,  on  board,  still  ploughing  her 
onward  way  through  the  immense  thickness  of  ice,  rip- 
ping, tearing,  breaking,  crushing  it  with  irresistible  pow- 
er— mirahile  dictu !  The  Messrs.  Harpers  will  please 
issue  proposals  for  a  new  edition  of  the  '  Arabian  Nights,* 
and  Irving  must  retouch  his  legends  of  the  '  Flying  Dutch- 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON,  111 

man  ; '  for  the  age  of  romance  is  come  again.  To-day 
the  captain  invigorates,  advises,  and  prepares ;  and  to- 
morrow the  President  and  suite — a  private  party — will 
visit  the  Princeton.     It  will  be  a  select  party." 

A  week  later,  the  war-propeller  was  again  the  scene 
of  display  and  festivity,  and  also  of  awfullest  tragedy. 
A  spectator  gave  a  sketch  of  the  excursion  and  its  thrill- 
ing events,  which  have  an  impressive  lesson  of  life's  frailty, 
and  God's  power  and  nearness  to  us  all : 

"  On  the  28th  of  February  the  President,  Cabinet, 
and  a  large  number  of  members  of  Congress  and  distin- 
guished strangers  in  Washington,  went  on  board  the 
Princeton  for  an  experimental  excursion.  The  beauty  and 
the  chivalry  of  the  United  States  assembled  at  the  seat 
of  Government  were  also  present.  A  more  gay,  joyous, 
or  delighted  company  seldom  before  were  ever  gathered 
together  on  the  deck  of  any  one  of  our  national  ships. 
It  was  a  beautiful,  bright  day,  and  the  resplendent  sun 
blazed  upon  the  firmament  without  a  cloud  to  threaten 
his  effulgence.  The  Potomac  was  unruffled  by  a  breeze, 
its  glassy  surface  presenting  the  lustre  and  serenity  of  a 
perfect  mirror.  As  the  Princeton,  without  the  aid  of 
wind  or  current,  smoothly  pursued  her  way  as  if  moved 
by  some  unseen  agency,  no  cloud  of  smoke  marked  her 
progress,  no  uncouth  sounds  of  jarring  machinery,  min 
gled  with  the  voice  of  festivity  which  rose  in  pleasant 
harmony  from  the  deck  of  the  gallant  vessel.     There 


112  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

were  grave  matrons,  mothers  of  the  naval  and  army 
heroes  of  the  country ;  there  were  illustrious  senators 
and  curious  statesmen  ;  and  there  were  youth  and  beauty, 
light  hearted  and  joyous.  There,  too,  were  gallant  post- 
captains,  generals,  distinguished  engineers,  and  men  of 
science,  come  to  feast  their  eyes  upon  this  nautical  won- 
der, this  gem  of  the  ocean,  this  last  effort  of  American 
genius,  skiU,  and  architectural  ingenuity. 

"  It  is  not  possible  to  suppose  that  the  heart  of  the 
gallant  commander  did  not  throb  with  patriotic  exultation, 
or  that  he  did  not  consider  aU  his  risks  in  past  years,  his 
toils,  his  hardships,  the  sneers  of  enemies  and  the  derision 
of  the  ignorant,  more  than  compensated  by  the  universal 
homage  which  rewarded  success.  He  had  attained  the 
goal  of  his  hopes  for  the  navy  and  for  his  country ;  yet 
from  the  lofty  height  of  honorable  exultation,  in  a  single 
instant  with  the  flash  of  a  gun,  he  was  plunged  into  woe 
unutterable,  and  prostrated  to  the  earth  with  the  groans 
of  the  dying,  and  the  lamentations  of  the  living,  falling 
on  his  ear,  and  breaking  his  heart. 

"  During  her  progress  down  the  Potomac,  the  great 
guns  on  the  Princeton  had  been  again  and  again  dis- 
charged, until  public  curiosity  appeared  to  be  satiated. 
The  company  had  retired  below,  and  at  the  festive  board 
the  voice  of  hilarity  resounded  through  the  decks  of  the 
proud  ship.     Toasts  were  given  appropriate  to  the  occa- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  113 

sion,  and  all  went  merry  as  marriage-bells.     The  feast 
of  reason  and  flow  of  soul  was  nearly  spent. 

"  Some  of  the  guests  had  commenced  retiring  from 
the  board  and  renewing  their  scrutiny  on  the  different 
parts  of  the  ship.  Captain  Stockton  had  risen  to  offer  a 
toast  complimentary  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  repub- 
lic. As  he  rose,  with  his  wine-glass  filled  in  his  hand,  an 
officer  entered  and  informed  him  that  some  of  the  com- 
pany desired  one  of  the  great  guns  to  be  again  discharged. 
Captain  Stockton  shook  his  head,  and  saying,  "  No  more 
guns  to-night,"  dismissed  the  officer.  He  soon  again  re- 
turned, while  Captain  Stockton  was  speaking  on  the  sub- 
ject of  his  toast,  with  a  message  from  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  expressive  of  his  desire  to  see  one  of  the  big 
guns  fired  once  more.  This  message  Captain  Stockton 
considered  equivalent  to  an  order,  and  immediately  went 
on  deck  to  obey  it.  He  placed  himself  upon  the  breech 
of  the  gun,  aimed,  and  fired.  Feeling  a  sensible  shock, 
stunned  and  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  smoke,  for  an  instant 
he  could  not  account  for  his  sensations.  But,  in  a  few 
seconds,  as  the  smoke  cleared,  and  the  groans  of  the 
wounded  and  the  shrieks  of  the  bystanders  who  were  un- 
hurt resounded  over  the  decks,  the  terrible  catastrophe 
which  had  happened  was  revealed.  But  in  that  appalling 
hour  when  other  men  would  have  been  paralyzed,  he,  of 
of  all  the  crowd  around,  seemed  to  have  clear  thought  and 
self-possession.     He  was  severely  hurt,  yet  calmly  and 


114  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

distinctly  his  voice  pealed  over  the  elements  of  concision ; 
a  few  brief  orders,  recalling  his  men  to  a  sense  of  duty, 
were  given  ;  the  dead  and  wounded  were  ascertained,  and 
properly  cared  for ;  when,  as  he  turned  to  leave  the  sad 
scene,  he  fell  exhausted  in  the  arms  of  his  men,  and  was 
borne  insensible  to  his  bed. 

"  The  unfortunate  sufferers  by  the  explosion  who  were 
killed  were  the  Hon.  Abel  P.  Upshur,  Secretary  of  State  ; 
the  Hon.  Thomas  W.  Gilmer,  Secretary  ^f  the  Navy ; 
Captain  Beverly  Kennon,  U.  S.  Navy  ;  Hon.  Virgil 
Moxey,  of  Maryland ;  and  the  Hon.  David  Gardiner, 
father-in-law  of  the  President." 

I  shall  always  carry  the  impression  of  that  fearful 
day.  The  tidings  went  over  the  land  like  the  shadow  of 
an  eclipse.  Not  because  life  was  more  precious  in  itself 
to  the  distinguished  men  thus  suddenly  summoned  to 
eternity ;  but  not  often  does  a  fatal  accident  strike  so 
heavily  upon  the  honored  in  a  nation's  high  places  of 
power. 

A  naval  court  of  inquiry  attached  no  blame  either  to 
Captain  Ericsson  or  Commander  Stockton.  The  gun  and 
its  firing  seem  to  have  been  on  scientific  principles.  The 
accident  was  one  of  those  providential  bolts  that  fall  from 
a  clear  sky,  crushing  human  hearts  and  hopes.  They 
come  down  everywhere,  and  no  skill  or  care  of  man  can 
ward  them  off.  They  teach  us  the  folly  of  our  wisdom 
before  Him  "  who  touches  the  hills  and  they  melt,"  and 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  115 

that  he  is  no  respecter  of  persons  ;  enforcing  the  Redeem^ 
er's  words,  "  Be  ye  also  ready." 

Such  scenes  as  crimsoned  the  Princeton's  deck  echo 
those  words  of  song : 

"  And  like  yon  sea  is  human  life ; 

Events  like  billows  roll ; 
Moment  on  moment,  strife  on  strife, 

That  change  us  to  the  soul ; 
And  joys  like  autumn  leaves  fall  fast ; 
Hope  sets — and  being's  light  is  past." 


m 


CHAPTER  XI. 


A  new  Field  of  Invention— The  "Wakeful  and  'Workirig  Genius  taught  afresh  by 
the  Divine  Law  in  Nature — The  Caloric  Engine — The  "Wise  Men  of  Eng- 
land again — ^The  Present  and  Future  of  Motive  Powers — The  Propeller  is  a 
success  I 


HA  YE  "watched  on  the  broad  Dela"ware  with  great 
interest  -while  "writing  this,  the  "  steam-tugs  "  al- 
most hourly  puffing  along,  dra"wing  in  their  wake 
the  noble  ship,  or  a  score  of  canal  boats,  forming  a 
train  for  a  good  distance  behind  them.  Who  that 
knew  the  history  of  Ericsson  could  fail  to  think  of  his  toy 
in  the  bath,  and  of  the  "  Flyiag  Devil"  on  the  Thames? 
We  will  leave  the  humble  yet  mighty  power  in  peace 
and  war,  girdling  the  globe,  and  follow  the  great  genius 
of  the  cold  north  in  his  next  sublime  effort.  Not  only 
had  he  watched  the  birds  and  fishes,  and  learned  splendid 
lessons  from  those  unconscious  teachers,  but  he  had  studied 
nature  in  her  manifold  operations,  and  had  found  deep 
meaning  in  Bryant's  poetical  language  : 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  117 

"  To  him  who  in  the  love  of  Nature  holds 
Communion  with  her  grandest  forms, 
She  speaks  a  various  language." 

Let  us  go  with  him  to  Niagara  Falls.  Standing  on 
Table  Rock,  we  gaze  awhile  upon  the  rushing,  foaming, 
thundering  flood,  bev/ildered  and  awed  by  the  grandeur 
of  the  scene.  A  rainbow  arches  the  brow  of  this  American 
Cataract^  and  a  white  cloud  of  incense  ascends  perpetually 
from  his  altar.  Compared  with  his  European  brother, 
around  whose  domain  the  Grand  Canal  rises  on  the  moun- 
tain-side, his  home  is  a  world  of  itself. 

How  inexpressible  and  mingled  the  emotions  as  you 
look  and  listen  !  Down  the  river,  on  the  bank,  you  can 
see  the  spot  where  a  beautiful  young  lady,  leaning  over 
the  brink  to  pluck  a  lovely  flower,  lost  her  balance  and 
went  down  a  hundred  feet  to  the  rocks  below.  She  was 
taken  thence  to  the  hotel  to  gasp  and  die.  In  sadly 
musing  mood  you  think  of  the  shipwreck  for  two  worlds 
made  every  day  by  just  such  endeavor  to  pluck  a  danger- 
ous and  momentary  pleasure. 

But  turning  to  the  inventive  genius  near,  while  not 
insensible  to  the  magnificence  of  the  unrivalled  cataract,  he 
is  deeply  absorbed  in  certain  practical  suggestions  made 
to  him  by  the  falls.  Comprehensive  and  startling  are 
his  calculations !  He  will  tell  you  that  the  amount  of 
water  in  that  descending  sheet  is  twenty-eight  thousand 
tons  every  second  of  time.     That  is,  nearly  three  and  a 


118  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

half  billions  of  pounds  go  over  the  precipice,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  high,  each  minute.  This  is  equal  to  five 
hundred  trillions  of  pounds  in  a  minute,  through  the  dis- 
tance of  one  foot.  Now,  apply  a  simple  rule  of  arith- 
metic, division,  and  ascertain  how  many  times  thirty- 
three  thousand,  which  is  the  number  of  pounds  it  is  esti- 
mated that  a  single  horse  can  draw  a  foot  in  a  minute, 
is  contained  in  that  vast  sum,  and  the  answer  will 
be,  fifteen  millions ;  in  other  words,  the  water-power  of 
Niagara  Falls  is  equal  to  the  strength  of  fifteen  millions 
of  horses,  and  that  unceasingly.  But  the  St.  Lawrence 
has  a  great  deal  of  descent  and  power  besides  the  cataract. 
To  make  by  steam  the  same  amount  of  engine  force,  would 
require  annually  three  hundred  millions  of  tons  of  coal. 
For  to  create  power  by  steam  as  great  as  that  of  a  horse, 
would  consume  twenty  tons  of  coal  every  year.  Think 
of  this  tremendous  force  at  work  night  and  day !  Then 
think  of  all  the  rivers  and  smaller  streams,  with  their  de- 
scending flow  and  waterfall,  from  the  Trollhattan  of  Sweden 
to  the  Niagara  of  America,  and  what  "  a  stupendous  force 
is  here  exhibited ! "  So  far  as  mechanical  use  is  con- 
cerned, it  is  almost  a  waste.  And  yet  nature  moves  on, 
never  resting,  nj3ver  failing !  The  tremendous  forces  are 
somehow  fed  with  new  strength  continually,  and  in  this 
sense  are  a  perpetual  motion.  But  Captain  Ericsson 
went  further  in  his  curious  calculations.  He  made  an 
estimate  of  power  in  animate  creation.     That  is,  the 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  "       119 

strength   put   forth   by   animals,   including    man   physi- 
cally. 

And  how  do  you  suppose  he  got  at  such  a  calculation  ? 
He  began  with  man.  It  is  found  that  he  can  exert  power 
which  would  raise  fifty  pounds  a  hundred  feet  every  minute 
for  eight  hours  out  of  the  twenty-four.  To  make  it  plain, 
any  person  of  ordinary  strength  has  force  enough  to  lift 
that  amount  daily  for  one-third  of  the  time.  Of  course 
all  people  cannot  do  it,  but  this  is  the  average.  Do  you 
recollect  the  estimated  population  of  the  globe  ?  It  is  be- 
lieved to  be  a  billion.  According  to  the  calculation,  then, 
the  human  beings  of  the  earth  have  a  force  equal  to 
thirty  millions  horse  power.  In  other  words,  a  billion  of 
persons  exert  the  power  of  thirty  millions  of  horses ! 
Captain  Ericsson,  without  being  able  to  number  all  the 
animals  and  estimate  their  power,  concluded  he  might 
safely  put  down  quadrupeds  as  equal  in  force  to  mankind  ; 
and  the  inhabitants  of  the  sea,  beginning  with  the  whale, 
often  possessing  the  force  of  twenty  horses,  greater  still. 
To  sum  up  the  novel  and  yet  grand  estimate  of  force,  he 
called  the  united  power  of  all  animate  beings,  more  than 
equivalent  to  an  engine  of  one  hundred  million  horse  power. 
You  know  Archimedes  the  great  mechanician  said,  that 
if  he  had  a  fulcrum,  or  point  outside  of  the  globe  for  his 
lever,  he  could  lift  it — so  mighty  were  the  means  of  raising 
weights  invented  and  employed  by  him.  Captain  Ericsson 
says,  if  he  could  build  an  engine  large  enough  to  wield  a 


120  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

force  equal  to  tliat  of  the  living  creatures  in  the  world,  it 
would  have  one  hundred  millions  horse  power !  Sup- 
posing the  tremendous  engine  built,  how  much  coal  would 
it  need  to  feed  its  fires  ?  An  engine  of  one  horse  power 
requires  twenty  tons  of  anthracite  a  year.  Therefore,  two 
thousand  millions  of  tons  annually  would  be  consumed  by 
the  mammoth  steam-power.  In  a  hundred  years  it  would 
exhaust  a  bed  of  coal  three  thousand  square  miles,  a  hun- 
dred feet  thick.  And  yet  Captain  Ericsson  saw,  as  we 
can  see,  that  nature  does  a  vaster  work,  is  unceasingly 
using  her  forces  without  change,  and  with  no  ^  supply  of 
power  out  of  herself.  The  river  murmurs  down  its  chan- 
nel, or  thunders  over  a  battlement  of  rock  ;  men  and  ani- 
mals continually  exert  force,  and  draw  ever  fresh  sup- 
plies with  no  outside  means  of  renewal,  and  without  waste. 
These  curious  and  interesting  facts  in  the  material  creation, 
suggested  the  next  wonder  of  his  unresting  intellect,  the 
Caloric  Engine. 

I  think,  with  a  little  attention,  my  young  reader  will 
get  a  correct  idea  of  this  invention,  a  marvellous  and 
beautiful  thing  indeed.  The  foundation  principle  is,  to 
use  the  atmosphere  instead  of  steam,  and  make  the  heat 
expanding  it  under  the  pistons,  do  its  work  over  and  over 
ao:ain.  You  know  that  the  heat  which  turns  the  water  to 
steam,  in  each  volume  of  it  passes  off  with  the  vapor. 
Therefore  the  fires  must  be  kept  fiercely  burning.  Captain 
Ericsson  could  not  see  why  this  waste   should   not  be 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICSSON.  121 

avoided,  and  as  elsewhere,  nature  save  her  forces,  and 
the  engine  more  nearly  resemble  the  falling  river,  or 
active  animal  form  taking  care  of,  and  nsing  the  means 
of  exerting  power.  If  so,  then  a  fire,  for  which  an 
amount  of  fuel  so  exceedingly  small  would  be  needed, 
that  it  could  be  found  anywhere,  would  keep  a  large  en- 
gine in  motion.  For,  kindle  a  flame  in  the  caloric  engine, 
and  the  expanded  air  pushes  the  piston  up  and  down  as 
the  steam  does  ;  while,  by  an  ingenious  apparatus  called  the 
regenerator,  that  coloric  is  sent  back  to  push  again.  The 
only  loss  must  be  the  trifling  amount  of  heat  which  passes 
off,  or  is  radiated  during  the  time  it  is  travelling  about  to 
do  its  work.  There  is  no  wearing  out  of  the  caloric,  no 
change  by  using  it.  It  had  been,  and  is  wasted  by  steam 
power.  And  this,  as  I  have  intimated,  demands  the  im- 
mense quantities  of  fuel  which  keep  the  furnaces  in  blast 
under  the  boilers.  In  the  low-pressure  engine,  the  steam, 
after  forcing  up  the  piston,  is  turned  into  a  condensing  ap- 
paratus, which  makes  water  of  it  again,  and  down  the 
piston  rushes  through  the  cylinder  to  be  lifted  again. 
Plainly,  the  heat  which  expanded  the  volume  of  steam, 
goes  with  it  into  the  water.  The  high-pressure  engine  has 
no  condenser,  but  the  steam  pushes  both  ways,  and  is  let 
off  into  the  atmosphere,  carrying  the  caloric  with  it. 
Thus  the  heat  cannot  be  returned  with  steam-power,  but 
the  fires  must  fm^nish  a  new  supply.  In  the  permanent 
gases,  that  is,  those  that  keep  their  form  like  the  air,  how 
6 


122  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

clear  it  is  that  the  heat  in  any  volume  of  it  can  be  moved 
about  with  it,  until  by  a  gradually  cooling  process  it  is 
thrown  ojQP  and  spread  over  a  larger  extent  of  the  atmos- 
phere. 

"  And  what  did  the  wise  men  of  England  say  to  the 
caloric  engine?"  you  inquire. 

You  can  "  guess'"  from  the  experience  our  engineer  had 
with  his  propeller. 

When,  in  1833,  after  much  study  and  many  experi- 
ments, he  presented  the  invention  to  the  scientific  men  of 
London,  all  of  them  excepting  the  two  splendid  and  lead- 
ing chemists  of  the  kingdom,  Professor  Faraday  and  Dr. 
Ure,  displayed  the  same  wisdom  which  shed  such  glory 
upon  the  lords  of  the  admiralty  !  They  pronounced  the 
principle  of  the  caloric  engine  as  they  did  that  of  the 
propeller,  false,  and  therefore  worthless.  Nature  and 
Ericsson  were  forever  under  the  eclipse  of  English  science. 
A  working  engine  of  five-horse  power  did  not  light  up  the 
night  of  condemnation  of  the  invention. 

But  Sir  Richard  Phillips,  an  author  well  known  in  the 
literary  world,  examined  it,  and  had  to  confess  it  did  look 
well.  He  published  a  Dictionary  of  the  Arts  of  Life  and 
of  Civilization,  in  which  he  records  of  the  caloric  engine : 

'^  The  author  has,  with  inexpressible  delight,  seen  the 
first  model  machine  of  five-horse  power  at  work.  With 
a  handful  of  fuel  applied  to  the  very  sensible  medium  of 
the  atmospheric  air,  he  beheld  a  resulting  action  in  nar- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  123 

row  compass,  capable  of  extension  to  as  great  force  as 
ever  can  be  wielded  or  used  by  man." 

One  day  Lord  Althorp,  since  Earl  Spencer,  Secretary 
of  the  Home  Department,  entered  the  engine-room  where 
the  new  iron  worker  was  busy — his  heart  not  large  but 
warm — his  strong  arms  moving  gracefully,  and  every  part 
adapted  to  the  end  designed.  With  the  nobleman  there 
was  the  venerable  Mr.  Brunei,  the  celebrated  architect 
of  the  Thames  Tunnel,  which  you  know  is  a  grand 
passage-way  under  the  river,  and  a  very  magnificent  piece 
of  engineering.  The  home  secretary  selected  him  to 
judge  of  the  caloric  engine,  because  of  his  knowledge  and 
experience.  But  sometimes  age  unfits  a  person  to  be  im- 
partial in  the  judgment  of  a  new  discovery  or  invention, 
there  being  a  prejudice  against  innovations  upon  older  and 
familiar  things  for  the  same  general  purpose.  Somehow 
Mr.  Brunei  had  made  up  his  mind  that  Captain  Ericsson's 
machine  was  unsound  in  theory ;  no  matter  how  finely 
piston-rod,  crank,  and  wheel  might  move,  there  was  cer- 
tainly a  defect,  even  if  he  couldn't  see  it. 

"  The  engine  works  very  well,  Mr.  Brunei,"  remarked 
Lord  Althorp,  as  they  left  the  apartment  in  which  the 
Swede  kept  his  last  specimen  of  mechanism,  which  had 
cost  him  many  weeks  of  profound  study. 

'''  Yes,  my  lord,  it  has  motion,  but  can  never  be  avail- 
able in  practical  mechanics.  It  is  wrong  in  principle — 
certainly  wrong,  my  lord." 


124  LIFE   OF   JOHN"   EEICSSOJST. 

This  sage  opinion,  adverse  to  the  invention,  went  to 
the  British  Government,  and  naturally  created  indiffer- 
ence there.  Letters  were  written  by  Captain  Ericsson  to 
Mr.  Brunei,  and  answered  ;  but  in  vain  the  genius  of  the 
inventor  endeavored  to  shed  its  clear  light  upon  the  mind 
of  the  engineer.  He  had  the  true  English  obstinacy 
which  frequently  looks  like  stufridity.  The  correspondence 
ceased,  and  I  suppose  Mr.  Brunei  pitied  the  fancy-inventor, 
whose  comparative  youth  was  an  excuse  for  his  failures. 

Professor  Faraday,  the  chemist,  was  more  disposed 
to  approve,  at  least  fairly  test  the  caloric  engine.  One 
day  you  might  have  seen  in  the  "  London  Times"  and  in 
other  advertising  forms,  a  notice  that  the  professor  would 
give  a  "  Lecture  on  the  Caloric  Engine  in  the  Theatre  of 
the  Royal  Institution."  The  hour  came,  and  with  it  a 
large  and  very  intelligent  audience.  The  lecturer,  and 
the  novel  and  highly-interesting  subject  to  scientific  men, 
gathered  an  assemblage  of  people  seldom  convened.  The 
noble  and  the  most  thoroughly  educated  were  there.  I 
need  not  assure  you  that  Captain  Ericsson  was  present. 
The  occasion  was  brilliant,  and  much  was  expected  from 
its  oracular  words.  Glance  over  that  spacious  and  elegant 
hall,  and  watch  both  the  intellectual  faces  of  the  immense 
throng,  and  the  company  on  the  platform.  There  stands 
a  scholar  and  a  fine  gentleman,  but  somehow  a  little*  em- 
barrassed. He  does  not  seem  quite  at  home.  What  can 
the  matter  be  ? 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  125 

I  will  tell  you.  Until  half  an  hour  before  the  many- 
hundreds  poured  into  the  theatre,  Professor  Faraday  had 
intended  to  explain  and  defend  the  wonderful  invention 
of  the  Swede.  But  suddenly  he  discovered,  no  one  knows 
how,  that  he  was  mistaken  in  his  idea  of  the  machine. 
The  expansion  of  the  air  is,  after  all,  false  in  theory,  in 
its  application  to  locomotion.  So  the  learned  orator  be- 
gins : 

"  Mr.  President^  Ladies^  and  GentUmen :  Although  I 
have  devoted  many  hours  to  the  study  of  the  caloric 
engine,  I  am  compelled  to  inform  you  at  the  very 
outset  of  my  lecture,  that  I  do  not  know  why  it  works 
at  all." 

A  luminous  beginning,  you  will  say.  The  intelligent 
hearers  must  have  felt  their  anticipations  go  down  like 
mercury  in  a  thermometer  when  exposed  to  a  frosty  wind. 
The  chemist,  ho¥/ever,  confined  himself  to  the  Eegener- 
ator.  This  invention,  you  remember,  returns  the  heat 
after  it  is  used  in  the  cylinder  to  move  the  piston,  back 
again  to  be  applied  to  the  same  purpose  ;  in  other  words, 
it  renews  the  force  by  saving  the  coloric  which  is  lost  in 
steam.  The  eloquent  speaker,  the  ^''  golden-mouthed" 
lecturer,  charmed  his  audience  with  the  description  of  this 
invention,  respecting  which  there  could  be  no  doubt  or 
denial. 

Besides  the  misapprehension  and  indifference  of  Eng- 
land's great  men,  there  were  defects  in  the  engine  which 


126  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

hindered  its  success.  The  high  degree  of  heat  in  the  air 
injured  the  machinery  by  a  kind  of  rusting  process,  which 
rapidly  spoiled  the  piston's  valves,  and  other  parts  of  the 
machinery.  To  remedy  the  evil.  Captain  Ericsson  went 
once  more  to  his  study. 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

The  Inventor's  Inventions— He  is  sure  of  Success  with,  his  Caloric  Engine — The 
Improvements — The  Brilliant  Achievements  in  America — The  Trial-trip — 
The  Engine  a  Worker  Still— Its  Future. 

FEW  years  of  comparative  quiet  in  Captain 
Ericsson's  life,  follows  the  grand  triumph  of  the 
Princeton.  But  he  is  not  idle.  His  genius,  how- 
ever, is  producing  new  marine  machinery,  and 
adding  to  the  improvements  of  peaceful  mechan- 
ism.    Nor  is  his  Caloric  Engine  forgotten. 

In  1851  the  great  Industrial  Exhibition  of  all  Nations 
was  held  in  London.  Amid  the  magnificent  and  bewil- 
dering display  of  art  and  invention,  in  a  modest  corner, 
were  the  following  creations  of  a  thinking  mind,  bearing 
the  name  of  Ericsson.  The  "  Distance  Instrument,"  for 
measuring  distances  at  sea,  giving,  as  no  contrivance  had 
ever  done  before,  quickly  and  accurately  the  distance  of 
an  object  from  the  ship  at  sea.  It  was,  you  will  readily 
understand,  especially  valuable  in  gunnery,  aiding  mate- 
rially in  taking  aim.     It  is  further  explained  in  its  use  on 


128  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSOK^. 

the.  Princeton.  The  "  Hydrostatic  Gauge  "  is  for  meas- 
uring the  volume  of  fluids  when  under  pressure.  The 
"  Reciprocating  Fluid  Meter "  measures  the  quantity  of 
water  which  passes  through  pipes  during  certain  periods. 
The  "Alarm  Barometer"  gives  warning  of  sudden 
changes  in  the  weather.  The  '*P}Tometer''  is  designed 
to  measure  temperature  from  the  freezing  point  of  water 
to  the  melting  heat  of  iron.  The  "-  Eotarj  Fluid  Meter  " 
is  constructed  on  the  principle  of  measuring  fluids,  as 
water,  by  the  velocity  with  which  they  flow  through  aper- 
tures of  definite  dimensions.  The  new  "Sea  Lead "  will 
give  the  soundings  or  depth,  without  "  rounding  the  ves- 
sel to  the  v/ind,"  in  the  ordinary  way,  and  independently 
of  the  length  of  the  line. 

Though  yon  may  not  have  a  clear  idea  of  the  value 
and  use  of  ail  these  inventions,  you  will  discern  the  mar- 
vellous power  of  the  intellect  which  produced  them,  while 
making  Propellers  and  Caloric  Engines,  with  many  other 
contributions  of  scientific  skill. 

For  the  articles  of  mechanism  mentioned.  Captain 
Ericsson  received  the  prize  medal  of  the  Exhibition.  In 
1852  he  was  made  Knight  of  the  Order  of  Vasa,  by  King 
Oscar  of  Sweden — a  royal  honor  the  now  plain  republi- 
can cared  less  for  than  he  did  for  a  single  success  as  in- 
ventor. Indeed,  so  busy  was  he  at  that  very  time  on  the 
Caloric  Engine,  he  scarcely  read  the  certificate  of  knight- 
hood. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICS80N.  129 

In  February,  1853,  again  a  crowd  passed  down  Broad- 
way, and  wound  their  way  through  the  .streets  to  one  of 
the  wharves. 

"  And  what  new  naval  wonder  now  ?  "  you  ask. 

There  lies  gracefully  on  the  water,  a  vessel  of  two 
thousand  tons,  not  very  different  in  general  appearance 
from  other  ships.  But  the  newspapers  had  told  the  peo- 
ple that  its  engine  was  worked  by  heated  air  instead  of 
steam — which  the  English  lords  and  engineers,  you  re- 
member, had  declared  could  not  be  done.  Soon  a  select 
party  are  on  board,  the  anchor  is  lifted,  the  hot-air  turned 
into  the  cylinder,  and  away  the  vessel  glides  "  out  to  sea." 
She  is  bound  for  Alexandria,  on  the  Potomac.  The 
heavens  become  overcast,  and  the  wind  tosses  the  waves. 
But  onward  through  gale  and  foam  the  good  bark  moves, 
breathing  the  atmosphere  the  passengers  do,  only  a  little 
warmer  ;  the  iron  heart  throbbing  steadily  for  sevenfey-three 
hours,  without  pausing  to  rest  a  moment.  Not  a  change 
or  adjustment  of  the  machinery  is  necessary  for  those  three 
days*  sail. 

Like  the  Francis  B.  Ogden,  which  the  Thames  boat- 
men called  the  "  Flying  Devil"  the  caloric  ship,  almost 
without  smoke  or  sound,  walks  the  waters 

"  Like  a  thing  of  life." 

The  furnace  required  only  five  tons  of  coal  in  twenty- 
four  hours — much  less  than  any  other  ship  of  the  same 
6* 


130  LITE   OF  JOHN   EKICSSON. 

size.  An  eager  crowd  welcomed  the  stranger  at  Alex- 
andria. 

Soon  afterward,  on  one  of  the  last  days  of  winter,  you 
might  have  seen  a  procession  of  men  headed  toward  the 
"  EmcssON."  The  people  come  out  to  see  it  pass ;  for 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  President-elect, 
Franklin  Pierce,  the  Cahinet,  many  naval  officers,  and 
members  of  Congress,  form  that  imposing  company. 
They  step  on  board,  go  from  deck  to  hold,  and  after 
hearty  words  of  congratulation  upon  the  success  of  the 
caloric  engine,  they  retire.  Then  follows  a  visit  from 
the  foreign  ministers.  The  proud  Englishman  outwitted 
by  the  Swede,  the  autocratic  Russian,  the  polite  French- 
man, and  the  dignified  German,  aU  admire  and  wonder, 
and  then  depart,  musing  over  the  strange  things  with 
which  the  "  Yankee  nation  "  is  starthng  the  world.  A 
little  later,  a  fine  procession  of  Virginians — the  legislature 
then  in  session — ^in  a  body,  proceeded  to  the  extrordinary 
ship. 

The  law-makers  of  the  "  Old  Dominion " — ^that 
"  mother  of  Presidents,"  and  the  "  mother  of  slaves  " — 
now  the  central  or  grand  battle-field  of  the  Republic, 
examined  in  every  part,  and  were  delighted  with  the 
beautiful  craft.  They  invited  Captain  Ericsson,  through 
a  committee,  to  visit  Richmond,  as  the  guest  of  the 
State. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  recommended  to  Congress 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  131 

the  passage  of  a  resolution,  authorizing  him  to  contract 
for  the  building  of  a  frigate  of  two  thousand  tons,  with 
caloric  engines,  costing  half  a  million  of  dollars.  But  an 
unexpected  hindrance  to  the  complete  revolution  in  motive 
power,  which  many  anticipated,  arose.  The  caloric  en- 
gine was  a  slower  iron-horse  than  the  steam-power,  and 
the  cost  of  large  engines  was  too  great  for  private  purses. 
Still  what  a  triumph  !  The  miner-boy  of  the  Wermeland 
iron  mountains,  entertaining  on  shipboard  Presidents,  the 
highest  officers  of  the  Republic,  and  the  representatives  of 
European  monarchies,  all  admiring  the  work  of  his  genius  ; 
a  working  genius,  which  for  sixteen  hours  out  of  twenty- 
four  will  bend  over  the  table  and  throw  off  diagrams 
nearly  as  rapidly  as  the  printer  does  the  sheets  from  his 
press. 

Captain  Ericsson  set  himself  to  the  business  of  im- 
provement. He  taught  the  lesson  to  us  all  never  to  be 
disheartened  by  failures,  and  also  never  to  be  satisfied 
short  of  'perfection.  In  study,  in  every  task,  and  in  re- 
ligious life,  this  is  the  lesson  God  would  impress  upon  us 
in  his  Word  and  works. 

The  caloric  engine  has  grown  more  and  more  useful 
in  the  hands  of  the  inventor.  Over  two  hundred  of 
the  engines  are  now  at  work  sawing,  turning  machinery, 
operating  telegraphic  machines,  and  propelling  boats. 

Who  can  tell  us  what  the  caloric  engine  may  be  and 
do  half  a  century  hence,  or  even  before  the  year  1875? 


132  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

Some  of  you  may  live  to  see  the  name  of  Ericsson  out- 
shine that  of  Fulton ;  because  the  steam  engine  is  then 
among  the  relics  of  the  past,  and  the  safer,  more  econom 
ical  rival,  has  the  empire  of  the  waters  under  his  sceptra 
of  locomotion.  We  are  living  fast,  and  rapidly  God  is 
educating  the  world. 


CHAPTER  Xin. 

The  Eebellion— Eevolutions  in  Sweden— Outbreaks  in  the  United  States— Our 
Army  and  Navy — Captain  Ericsson  when  the  Civil  "War  opened. 

V|E  come  to  the  great  rebellion  in  the  American 
Republic,  and  the  connection  of  our  inventor 
with  it.  His  own  native  Sweden  had  been  no 
stranger  to  revolutions.  For  ten  centuries, 
the  period  of  which  there  is  an  outline  his- 
tory, there  was  a  succession  of  popular  movements  often 
culminating  in  scenes  of  bloodshed. 

The  last  before  he  left  the  shores  of  Sweden  was  when 
Russia  gave  to  that  Government  Norway,  because  she 
joined  the  great  powers  leagued  together  to  crush  Napo- 
leon. This  has  been  already  noticed.  It  may  be  both 
interesting  and  instructive  to  pause  here  a  moment,  and 
glance  over  the  annals  of  rebellion  in  this  republic. 

The  first  movement  which  could  properly  bear  that 
name,  was  a  proposition  made  by  officers  of  the  Federal 


134:  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

army  in  1782,  to  consolidate  into  one  government  tlie 
thirteen  colonies  or  States,  and  enthrone  George  Wash- 
ington, virtually,  if  not  fornkally,  making  him  king. 
The  treason  of  course  failed ;  for  it  was  an  attempt 
to  betray  liberty  itself,  after  a  fearful  sacrifice  to  main- 
tain it. 

The  next  outbreak  of  a  popular  character,  was  the 
Shays'  Eebellion  in  Massachusetts  in  1786-87.  Com- 
plaints had  arisen  against  the  taxation,  the  aristocracy  of 
the  Senate,  the  governor's  salary,  and  other  public  acts 
and  statutes.  The  revolt  was  fairly  organized  when  Cap- 
tain Daniel  Shays,  December,  1786,  took  command  of 
the  armed  forces,  numbering  two  thousand  men.  They 
broke  up  the  courts  at  "Worcester  and  Springfield,  and 
marched  on  the  arsenal  at  the  latter  place  to  take  it.  The 
militia  under  General  Shepherd  met  the  rebels,  fired  into 
their  ranks,  and  soon  dispersed  them.  Fourteen  were 
tried  and  condemned  to  death,  but  afterward,  with  the 
captain,  were  pardoned. 

Eight  years  later  the  Whiskey  Insurrection  raged 
awhile  in  Pennsylvania,  because  of  the  tax  imposed  on 
the  stimulant. 

Twenty  years  more  passed,  when,  in  1814,  the  oppo- 
sition to  the  war  with  England  took  a  threatening  shape 
in  the  "  Hartford  Convention."  This  assembly  held  its 
sessions  with  closed  doors  for  twenty  days.  The  dele- 
gates, who  were  from  the  New  England  States,  com- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  135 

plained  of  violations  of  the  Constitution  in  the  procla- 
mation and  prosecution  of  war.  But  paper  battles  only 
resulted  from  the  exciting  demonstration. 

When  the  question  of  admitting  Missouri  into  the 
Union  in  1820  was  agitated,  a  deep  and  alarming  oppo- 
sition to  the  widening  area  of  slavery  was  apparent.  The 
excitement  was  allayed  by  the  "  Compromise,"  which  ex- 
cluded slavery  from  all  territories  north  of  latitude  SG'^ 
30'.  Its  repeal  was  the  far-off  tocsin  of  martial  conflict, 
and  the  death-knell  of  slavery,  though  intended  to  suppress 
discussion  of  it,  and  to  extend  its  dark  dominion.  It  was 
treason  to  freedom,  of  which  the  civil  conflict  is  the  grand 
tragedy  and  settlement. 

The  negro  race  was  not  alone  in  oppression,  nor  as  an 
occasion  of  testing  the  justice  and  strength  of  the  Repub- 
lic. In  1828  and  the  two  years  following  commenced  the 
efltbrt  to  remove  the  Indians  from  Georgia,  and  get  their 
lands.  The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  decided 
against  the  injustice  of  the  State,  but  the  verdict  was  set 
aside  by  Georgia,  thus  resisting  the  General  Government. 
The  robbery  went  on,  and  added  to  our  account  as  a  na- 
tion, with  Him,  of  whose  equity  and  power  even  Thomas 
Jefferson  said,  "  I  tremble  for  my  country  when  I  remem- 
ber that  God  is  just,  and  that  his  justice  will  not  sleep 
forever ! " 

Right  in  the  wake  of  this  crime  came  the  "  South 
Carolina  Nullification"  in  1832.     John  C.  Calhoun  had 


136  LIFE  OF  JOHN  ERICSSON. 

advocated  the  false  doctrine  of  the  independence  of  the 
States  ;  that  is,  the  right  of  each  commonwealth  to  crit- 
icize the  Government  at  "Washington,  and  condemn  and 
resist  measures  deemed  to  be  an  invasion  of  the  sover- 
eignty of  a  State. 

When  the  tariff  for  collecting  revenue  did  not  agree 
with  the  views  of  South  Carolina,  there  was  rebellion. 
She  determiaed  to  confront  the  National  Administration. 
But  General  Jackson  was  not  the  man  to  trifle  with  trea- 
son, and  soon  pointed  the  cannon  toward  its  headquarters, 
Charleston  Harbor.  Then  followed  a  calm  of  nearly 
thirty  years  in  the  fiery  "  Palmetto  State." 

In  1842  the  Dorr  Rebellion  broke  out  in  Rhode  Island. 
The  ground  of  hostility  to  the  authorities  was  the  unequal 
representation  of  the  people,  the  basis  of  it  being  the  de- 
fective charter  from  Charles  II.  in  1663.  Thomas  Wil- 
son Dorr  was  the  leader  of  the  revolt.  Under  him  another 
State  Constitution  was  adopted,  and  he  was  elected  gov- 
ernor. Then  followed  the  appeal  to  arms — a  fight — and 
peace  again.  The  evils  complained  of  were  subsequently 
removed. 

The  Mormons  were  the  next  rebels.  They  went  to 
Utah  in  1848,  and  the  following  year  formed  their  own 
constitution,  naming  their  territory  Deseret.  They  sent 
their  documents  to  Washington.  The  independent  com- 
monwealth was  not  allowed  to  have  her  own  way.  So 
she  rebelled,  and  in  1856  a  mob  drove  the  U.  S.  Judge, 


\ 

LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  137 

Drummond,  from  his  bench,  and  tried  to  take  th«  reins 
of  authority. 

How  insignificant  all  these,  nearly  a  dozen  rebellious 
outbreaks,  excepting  the  very  significant  and  prophetic 
resistance  to  the  Government  of  Georgia  and  South  Caro- 
lina, foreshadowing  the  storm  which  has  since  shaken 
the  pillars  of  the  Republic,  appear,  compared  to  the 
civil  war. 

When  it  broke  upon  us,  Captain  Ericsson  Tvas  not 
thought  by  any  one,  nor  thought  himself,  to  be  destined  to 
act  a  principal  part  in  breasting  the  angry  and  terrible 
conflict  of  moral  and  political  elements.  His  experience 
among  the  officials  at  Washington  had  decided  him  to 
make  no  more  offers  of  his  engineering  services,  whether 
in  time  of  peace  or  war,  to  the  Government.  It  may 
.well  kindle  a  blush  of  shame  upon  a  patriot's  cheek  to 
know  that  trickery  and  bribery  quite  as  often  gi\e  success 
to  those  who  live  on  the  public  treasury,  as  pure  princi- 
ples and  transparent  honesty.  The  days  have  seemed  to 
be  past,  when  Christian  men  can  enter  the  arena  of  politics 
and  win  the  popular  suffrage,  if  consistent  in  their  loyalty 
to  God. 

The  upright  Ericsson  would  have  nothing  to  do  with 
the  arrogant  and  corrupt  officials  infesting  the  depart- 
ments at  the  capital.  He  believed  thoroughly,  while  ad- 
vancing material  interests,  in  the  sentiment  of  Washing- 
ton, that  of  private  and  national  character,  "  religion  and 


138  LIFE  OF  JOHK   EEICSSON. 

morality  are  indispensable  supports."  And  he  was  will- 
ing to  employ  his  fine  inventive  intellect,  apart  from  po- 
litical chicanery  and  patronage. 

The  thunder  of  cannon  against  the  walls  of  Sumter, 
^he  insane  declaration  of  war  upon  the  existence  of  the 
Republic,  turned  the  attention  of  patriotic  capitalists  to 
our  defences,  especially  to  our  navy.  We  had  never  been 
a  mighty  nation  on  the  sea,  because  excepting  the  Revo- 
lution, and  the  war  of  1812,  we  had  used  the  sea  almost 
entirely  for  our  rapidly-extending  commerce.  Would  you 
like  to  have  a  glimpse  of  our  national  "  life  on  the  ocean 


wave 


"9 


On  1607,  thirteen  years  before  the  May  Flower  rocked 
in  Massachusetts  Bay,  Francis  Newport, landed  on  the 
coast  of  Virginia  with  colonists,  whose  object  of  ad- 
venture was  wealth  and  luxury.  Six  years  later.  Captain 
Samuel  Argal,  under  the  pretext  of  a  fishing  expedition, 
left  the  shores  of  Virginia  with  eleven  vessels  for  the  coast 
of  Nova  Scotia.  The  French  port  of  St.  Sauveur  was 
unarmed,  and,  attacked  by  Argal,  fell  with  but  little  re- 
sistance into  his  hands.  The  fleet  carried  fourteen  guns. 
This  was  the  first  colonial  conflict  with  rival  settlers,  and 
in  a  time  of  perfect  peace ;  the  earliest  aggression  of  the 
South  upon  the  North,  for  self-aggrandizement  at  the  ex- 
pense of  justice  and  humanity.  This  was  followed  by  a 
similar  outrage  upon  the  Dutch  settlement  of  New  York. 
Soon  after  the  fleet  was  scattered  and  one  of  the  vessels 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  139 

• 

lost.  The  prisoners  taken  from  the  shipwrecked  crew 
just  escaped  execution  as  pirates. 

In  1814,  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  near  New  York, 
was  built  the  first  decked  vessel,  styled  in  the  account 
given  of  it,  a  yacht.  It  sailed  through  Hell  Gate  into 
Long  Island  Sound,  and  away  to  Cape  Cod,  no  trivial  en- 
terprise before  the  May  Flower  touched  the  sands  of  that 
nameless  point,  whose  base  was  sixty  miles  back  among 
the  Indian  wigwams  of  the  unexplored  wilderness.  Mean- 
while the  Dutch  had  reared  the  walls  of  a  fort  at  New 
Amsterdam ;  doubtless  the  pioneer  fortification  of  civili- 
zation in  the  limits  of  the  present  United  States.  Here 
was  a  centre  of  trade  in  small  craft  with  the  natives  along 
the  bays  and  rivers  of  their  territory.  Thirteen  years 
after  the  shallop  struck  "Forefathers'  Rock,"  according 
to  the  best  record  we  have  of  that  period,  the  first  ship 
was  built  at  Boston.  From  the  launching  of  this  small 
vessel  navigation  in  New  England  went  forward  with 
characteristic  rapidity,  especially  the  fisheries,  which  be- 
came the  unappointed  hardy  nautical  school  of  American 
seamen.  Such  was  the  dawn  of  existence  to  the  American 
navy.  It  is  not  the  place  to  give  a  sketch  of  the  gr9wth 
of  this  power.     I  will  add  a  few  striking  facts. 

The  Beprisal  was  the  first  American  man-of-war  which 
appeared  in  foreign  waters,  reaching  France  in  1776,  with 
Franklin  on  board,  and  having  several  prizes  in  company 
with  her.     Then  followed  the  heroic  deeds  of  our  com- 


14:0  LITE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON^. 

modores,  Rodgers,  of  the  Guerriere,  Bainbridge,  of  the 
Independence^  and  Perry,  of  the  Java,  with  other  gallant 
commanders,  until  even  boasting  Britain  feared  our 
prowess  on  the  high  seas.  The  last  war  with  England 
displayed  still  greater  valor  and  victories,  if  possible.  The 
names  of  Perry,  Macdonough,  Porter,  and  other  naval 
warriors,  shine  in  the  world's  history. 

You  will  be  willing  to  turn  aside  awhile  from  the 
narrative  of  the  hero  of  peaceful  revolutions  and  suc- 
cessful warfare  in  our  navy,  to  read  the  story  of  a  fearless 
and  patriotic  youth,  who,  when  dying,  left  an  imperishable 
watchword  behind  for  all  ages.  He  lived  in  the  days  of 
wooden  war-ships,  and  was  among  the  pioneer  sailors  on 
gunboats,  such  as  the  country  then  afforded.  Says  an 
American  writer : 

"  Death,  which  so  often  removes  from  the  scenes  of 
their  glory  the  young  and  heroic,  has  never  triumphed 
over  a  victim  more  beloved  and  lamented  by  the  nation 
he  served  than  James  Lawrence.  His  career  was  marked 
by  a  series  of  brilliant  actions  which  had  attracted  the 
highest  confidence  and  hope  in  his  compatriots,  and  his 
untimely  loss  was  mourned  as  a  national  calamity. 

"  Captain  James  Lawrence  was  born  on  the  1st  of 
October,  1781,  at  Burlington,  in  New  Jersey,  and  was 
the  youngest  son  of  John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  counsellor-at- 
law  of  that  place.  Soon  after  his  birth  he  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  lose  his  mother,  and  the  care  of  his  early  years 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  141 

devolved  on  his  two  sisters,  who  seem  to  have  cultivated 
the  moral  qualities  of  his  heart  with  singular  success. 

"At  the  age  of  twelve  he  evinced  a  strong  partiality 
for  the  sea ;  but  his  father  disapproving  of  that  plan  of 
life,  and  wishing  him  to  pursue  the  profession  of  law, 
young  Lawrence  acquiesced,  and  passed  with  reputation 
through  the  grammar  school  at  Burlington,  when,  finding 
that  the  pecuniary  situation  of  his  father  would  not  fur- 
nish him  with  the  means  of  completing  his  education  at 
any  college  or  university,  he  commenced  the  study  of  law 
with  his  brother,  the  late  John  Lawrence,  Esq.,  at  Wood- 
bury. He  was  now  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  a  period 
of  life  when  the  grave  pursuits  of  jurisprudence  can 
scarcely  be  presumed  to  have  many  attractions  for  a 
young  and  ardent  fancy,  already  inflamed  with  the  love 
of  wandering.  He  continued,  however,  a  reluctant  stu- 
dent for  about  two  years,  when  the  death  of  his  father 
leaving  him  more  at  liberty  to  pursue  his  favorite  inclina- 
tion, he  prevailed  on  his  brother  to  place  him  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  Griscomb,  at  Burlington,  for  the  purpose  of 
studying  navigation.  He  here  remained  for  three  months, 
at  the  expiration  of  which  time,  on  application  to  the 
Navy  Department,  he  received  a  warrant  as  midshipman, 
on  the  4th  of  September,  1798. 

"  His  first  voyage  was  in  the  ship  Ganges,  Captain 
Tiagey,  on  a  cruise  to  the  "West  Indies.  He  afterwards 
sailed  in  different  vessels  for  upwards  of  two  years,  and 


142  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

was  tjien  made  au  acting  lieutenant  on  board  the  frigate 
Adams^  Captain  Kobinson,  where  he  continued  till  the 
reduction  of  the  navy ;  in  consequence  of  which  his  ap- 
pointment was  not  confirmed,  and  he  remained  in  the  rank 
of  midshipmen. 

"  On  the  commencement  of  the  war  with  Tripoli,  in 
1801,  he  was  promoted  to  a  lieutenancy,  and  sailed  to  the 
Mediterranean  as  first  lieutenant  of  the  schooner  Enter- 
'prise  in  1803.  From  this  vessel  he  was  transferred  to 
the  frigate  John  Adams ^  as  first  lieutenant ;  and,  after  re- 
maining in  the  Mediterranean  about  three  years,  he  re- 
turned with  Commodore  Preble  to  the  United  States. 

"  Soon  after,  he  was  again  sent  to  the  Mediterranean 
as  commander  of  gunboat  No.  6.  These  vessels  were 
originally  destined  to  serve  merely  along  the  American 
coast,  and,  however  qualified  for  harbor  or  river  defence, 
were  deemed  exceedingly  insecure  in  crossing  the  Atlantic. 
Being  very  small,  with  a  disproportionably  large  gun,  and 
necessarily  laden  very  deeply,  they  labored  under  every 
disadvantage  in  encountering  heavy  gales.  So  decided 
were  the  opinions  of  the  naval  officers  against  them,  that 
no  one  would,  perhaps,  have  been  willing  to  risk  his  life 
in  them  on  such  a  voyage,  for  any  motive  of  private  ad- 
vantage, or  from  any  consideration,  except  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duty,  '  Lawrence  has  told  me,'  writes  one 
of  his  brother  officers,  '  that  when  he  went  on  board  the 
gunboat,  he  had  not  the  faintest  idea  that  he  would  ever 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  143 

arrive  out  to  the  Mediterranean  in  her,  or,  indeed,  arrive 
anywhere  else.  He  has  also  told  me,  that  on  the  coast 
of  Europe  he  met  an  English  frigate,  the  captain  of  which 
would  not  at  first  believe  that  he  had  crossed  the  Atlantic 
in  such  a  vessel.'  He  did  not,  however,  go  with  less 
alacrity,  and  he  unexpectedly  arrived  safely  in  the 
Mediterranean,  where  he  remained  for  about  sixteen 
months. 

"  On  the  10th  of  February,  1813,  he  captured  the 
English  brig  Resolution^  of  ten  guns,  laden  with  provis- 
ions and  about  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  but 
as  she  was  a  dull  sailer,  and  he  could  not  spare  hands  to 
man  her,  he  took  out  the  money  and  the  crew,  and  burnt 
her.  He  then  ran  down  the  coast  for  Maranham,  and, 
after  cruising  near  that  place  and  Surinam,  till  the  23d  of 
February,  he  stood  for  Demarara.  On  the  next  morning 
he  discovered  a  brig  to  leeward,  and  chased  her  so  near 
the  shore  that  he  was  obliged  to  haul  off  for  want  of  a 
pilot.  During  the  chase,  however,  he  had  discovered  a 
vessel  at  anchor  outside  of  the  bar  of  Demarara  River, 
with  English  colors  flying,  and  now  began  beating  round 
the  Corobano  bank  to  get  at  her ;  when,  between  three 
and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  another  sail  was  seen  on 
his  weather  quarter,  edging  down  for  him.  As  she  ap- 
proached, she  hoisted  English  colors,  and  proved  to  be 
the  British  brig  Peacock^  Captain  Peake.  The  Hornet 
was  immediately  cleared  for  action,  and  kept  close  to  the 


144:  LIFE   OF  JOHl^   ERICSSOIsr. 

wind,  in  order  to  get  the  weather  gauge  of  the  approach  ^ 
ing  vessel.  At  ten  minutes  past  five,  finding  that  he 
could  weather  the  enemy.  Captain  Lawrence  hoisted 
American  colors,  tacked,  and  in  about  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  passed  the  British  ship  within  half  pistol-shot,  and 
exchanged  broadsides.  The  enemy  was  now  in  the  act 
of  wearing,  when  Captain  Lawrence  bore  up,  received 
his  starboard  broadside,  and  ran  him  close  on  board  on 
the  starboard  quarter  ;  from  which  position  he  kept  up  so 
close  and  bloody  a  fire,  that  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes 
from  the  commencement  of  the  action,  the  British  struck 
their  colors,  and  hoisted  a  signal  of  distress.  Lieutenant 
Shubrick  instantly  went  on  board,  and  found  that  she  was 
cut  to  pieces,  her  captain  killed,  many  of  the  crew  killed 
and  wounded,  her  mainmast  gone  by  the  board,  six  feet 
water  in  the  hold,  and  sinking  very  fast.  The  two  ships 
were  immediately  brought  to  anchor,  and  the  Hornefs 
boats  despatched  to  bring  off  the  wounded ;  but,  although 
her  guns  were  thrown  overboard,  the  shot  holes  which 
could  be  got  at  plugged,  and  every  exertion  made  by 
pumping  and  bailing  to  keep  her  afloat,  so  completely  had 
she  been  shattered  that  she  sunk  before  the  prisoners 
could  be  removed,  carrying  down  thirteen  of  her  crew,  as 
well  as  three  men  belonging  to  the  Hornet.  Lieutenant 
Connor  and  the  other  officers  and  men  employed  in  re- 
moving the  prisoners,  narrowly  escaped  by  jumping  into 
a  boat,  as  the  Peacock  went  down ;  and  four  seamen  of 


LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  145 

the  Hornet  ran  up  into  the  foretop  at  the  same  time,  and 
were  taken  off  by  the  boats. 

''  The  Peacock  was  deemed  one  of  the  finest  ships  of 
her  class  in  the  British  navy.  In  size  she  was  about 
equal  to  the  Hornet ;  but,  in  guns  and  men,  the  Hornet 
was  somewhat,  though  very  little,  her  superior ;  and  by 
no  means  so  much  so  as  to  give  her  any  decided  advan- 
tage. The  loss  on  board  the  Peacock  could  not  be  pre- 
cisely ascertained.  Captain  Peake  was  twice  wounded, 
the  second  time  mortally.  Four  men  were  found  dead 
on  board.  The  master  and  thirty-two  others  were  wound- 
ed, three  of  whom  afterward  died.  The  Hornet  had  only 
one  man  killed,  and  two  slightly  wounded.  Her  rigging 
and  sails  were  much  cut,  but  her  hull  received  very  little 
injury.  During  the  engagement,  the  vessel  which  the 
Hornet  had  been,  endeavoring  to  reach  before  the  Peacock 
bore  down,  lay  at  anchor  within  six  miles,  and  as  she  was 
a  brig — the  Espiegle — carrying  fifteen  thirty-two  pound 
carronades  and  two  long  nines,  it  was  supposed  that  she 
would  attack  the  Hornet .^  after  the  latter  had  been  dis- 
abled by  the  combat.  The  Hornet  was  immediately  pre- 
pared to  receive  her,  and,  by  nine  o'clock  at  night,  her 
boats  were  stowed,  a  new  set  of  sails  bent,  and  every 
thing  ready  for  action.  She,  however,  declined  coming 
out.  The  next  morning  Captain  Lawrence  found  that  he 
had  two  hundred  and  seventy  souls  on  board  the  Hornet^ 
and,  as  hife  crew  had  been  for  some  time  on  short  allow- 
7 


146  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

ance,  resolved  to  steer  for  the  United  States.  The  officers 
of  the  Peacock  received  from  those  of  the  Hornet  the  most 
humane  and  honorable  treatment ;  so  penetrated  with 
gratitude  were  they  for  the  kindness  which  they  had  ex- 
perienced, that  they  could  not  restrain  the  expression  of 
their  feelings  till  they  reached  England,  but,  on  their  ar- 
rival in  the  United  States,  published  a  letter  of  thanks  to 
Captain  Lawrence  and  his  officers,  in  which  they  declared 
that  such  was  the  liberality  displayed  to  them,  that  '  they 
ceased  to  consider  themselves  prisoners/  Nor  was  the 
rough  generosity  of  the  Hornet's  crew  less  honorable.  As 
the  sailors  of  the  Peacock  had  lost  every  thing  except  what 
they  had  on  their  backs,  when  she  went  down,  the  crew 
of  the  Hornet  united  to  relieve  them ;  and  made  every 
English  sailor  a  present  of  two  shirts  and  a  blue  jacket 
and  pair  of  trowsers ;  a  true-hearted  liberality,  which 
raises  them  in  our  estimation  higher  than  even  their 
victory. 

"  Captain  Lawrence  returned  to  New  York  in  safety, 
and,  besides  the  applause  which  his  country  lavished  upon 
him  for  his  good  conduct,  had  the  satisfaction  of  learning, 
as  we  have  already  observed,  that  he  had  been  promoted 
during  his  absence,  and  his  rank  settled  to  his  perfect 
satisfaction.  Soon  after  his  return  he  was  ordered  to  the 
command  of  the  frigate  Constitution,  with  the  temporary 
superintendence  of  the  navy  yard  at  New  York.  But  the 
next  day,  to  his  great  regret,  he  received  inst«ictions  to 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  147 

repair  to  Boston,  and  take  command  of  the  Chesapeake 
frigate,  then  nearly  ready  for  sea.  This  appointment  was 
peculiarly  unpleasant,  because  the  Chesapeake  was  not 
only  considered  as  one  of  the  very  worst  ships  in  the 
navy,  but,  in  consequence  of  her  disgrace  in  the  rencontre 
with  the  Leopard,  labored  under  that  dispiriting  stigma 
among  sailors,  of  being  an  '  unlucky  ship.'  These  circum- 
stances, combined  with  the  state  of  his  family,  made  Cap- 
tain Lawrence  unwilling  to  go  to  sea  immediately,  and  he, 
therefore,  requested  to  retain  his  situation  in  the  Hornet. 
Disappointed  in  this  wish,  he  then  took  command  of  the 
Chesapeake  at  Boston,  where  he  had  been  but  a  short 
time,  when  the  British  frigate  Shannon,  Captain  Broke, 
appeared  before  the  harbor,  for  the  avowed  purpose  of 
seeking  a  combat  with  the  Chesapeake.  Stung  with  the 
repeated  disasters  of  the  British  frigates,  this  officer  re- 
solved to  make  an  effi^rt  to  retrieve  them  ;  and,  when  he 
deemed  his  ship  perfectly  prepared  for  that  purpose,  sent 
a  formal  challenge  to  Captain  Lawrence. 

"'As  the  Chesapeake' — ^his  letter  began — 'appears 
now  ready  for  sea,  I  request  you  will  do  me  the  favor  to 
meet  the  Shannon  with  her,  ship  to  ship,  to  try  the  for- 
tune of  our  respective  flags.  To  an  officer  of  your  char- 
acter, it  requires  some  apology  for  proceeding  to  further 
particulars.  Be  assured,  sir,  that  it  is  not  from  any  doubt 
I  entertain  of  your  wishing  to  close  with  my  proposal,  but 
merely  to  provide  an  answer  to  any  objection  that  might 


148  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOK. 

be  made — and  very  reasonably — upon  the  cbance  of  our 
receiving  unfair  support/  After  observing  that  Commo- 
dore Rodgers  had  not  accepted  several  verbal  challenges 
which  he  had  given,  Captain  Broke  then  proceeds  to  state 
very  minutely  the  force  of  the  Shannon^  and  offers  to  send 
all  British  ships  out  of  reach,  so  that  they  might  have  a 
fair  combat,  at  any  place  within  a  certain  range  along  the 
coast  of  New  England,  which  he  specified ;  if  more  agree- 
able, he  offers  to  sail  together,  and  to  warn  the  Chesa- 
]?eaJce,  by  means  of  private  signals  of  the  approach  of 
British  ships-.of-war,  till  they  reach  some  solitary  spot — 
or  to  sail  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  any  place  out  of  the  reach 
of  British  aid,  so  that  the  flag  should  be  hauled  down 
when  it  was  deemed  fair  to  begin  hostilities.  '  I  entreat 
you,  sir,'  he  concludes,  '  not  to  imagine  that  I  am  urged 
by  mere  personal  vanity  to  the  wish  of  meeting  the  Chesor 
peake,  or  that  I  depend  only  upon  your  personal  ambition 
for  your  acceding  to  this  invitation.  "We  have  both  nobler 
motives.  You  will  feel  it  as  a  compliment,  if  I  say  that 
the  result  of  our  meeting  may  be  the  most  grateful  service 
I  can  render  to  my  country ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  you, 
equally  confident  of  success,  will  feel  convinced  that  it  is 
only  by  repeated  triumphs  in  even  combats,  that  your  lit- 
tle navy  can  now  hope  to  console  your  country  for  the  loss 
of  that  trade  it  can  no  longer  protect.' 

"  The  style  of  this  letter,  with  the  exception  of  the 
puerile  bravado  about  Commodore  Rodgers,  is  frank  and 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  149 

manly ;  and,  if  the  force  of  the  Shannon  were  correctly 
stated,  would  be  such  a  challenge  as  might  well  be  sent 
from  a  brave  seaman  to  a  gallant  adversary.  We,  how- 
ever, are  but  two  well  satisfied,  that  Captain  Broke  studi- 
ously underrated  the  number  of  his  guns  and  crew ;  or 
that,  after  his  challenge,  he  must  have  received  additions 
to  both.  That  the  Shannon  had  more  guns  than  the 
number  stated  by  her  commander,  we  learn  from  the 
testimony  of  the  surviving  officers  of  the  Chesapeake  ;  who 
also  assert,  that  she  had  three  hundred  and  seventy-six 
men ;  that  she  had  an  officer  and  sixteen  men  from  the 
Belle  Poule ;  and  that  the  hats  of  some  of  her  seamen  were 
marked  Tenedos.  Such  as  it  was,  however,  this  letter, 
most  unfortunately,  never  reached  Captain  Lav5Tence. 
If  he  had  received  it — if  he  had  been  thus  warned  to  pre- 
pare his  ship — if  he  had  had  an  opportunity  of  selecting 
his  officers,  and  disciplining  his  crew — if,  in  short,  he  had 
been  able  to  place  the  Chesapeake  on  any  thing  like  equal 
terms  with  the  Shannon,  the  combat  might  have  been 
more  bloody — there  might  have  been  such  an  engagement 
as  has  not  yet  been  seen  between  single  ships  on  the 
ocean  !  though  we  cannot  suffer  ourselves  to  doubt  the  re- 
sult of  it.  But  he  knew  nothing  of  this  challenge — he 
saw  only  the  Shannon  riding  before  him  in  defiance  ;  he 
remembered  the  spirit  with  which  he  himself  had  over- 
awed a  superior,  and  he  could  not  brook  for  a  moment, 
that  an  enemy,  which  seemed  to  be  his  equal,  should  in- 


150  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

suit  his  flag.  Although,  therefore,  the  ChesajpeaJce  was 
comparatively  an  inferior  ship — although  his  first  lieu- 
tenant was  sick  on  shore — although  three  of  his  lieutenants 
had  recently  left  her  ;  and,  of  the  four  who  remained,  two 
were  only  midshipmen,  acting  as  lieutenants — although 
part  of  his  crew  were  new  hands,  and  all  of  them  had  lost 
some  of  their  disciphne  by  staying  in  port — ^yet,  as  he 
would  have  gone  to  sea  in  that  situation  had  no  enemy 
appeared,  he  felt  himself  bound  not  to  delay  sailing  on 
that  account,  and  throwing  himself,  therefore,  on  his 
courage  and  his  fortune,  he  determined  at  once  to  attack 
the  enemy.  It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  June, 
1813,  that  the  Chesapeake  sailed  out  of  the  harbor  of 
Boston,  to  meet*  the  Shannon,  As  soon  as  she  got  under 
weigh.  Captain  Lawrence  called  the  crew  together,  and, 
having  hoisted  the  white  flag,  with  the  motto  of  'free 
trade  and  sailors'  rights,'  made  a  short  address.  His 
speech,  however,  was  received  with  no  enthusiasm-^^on 
the  contrary,  signs  of  dissatisfaction  were  evident ;  par- 
ticularly from  a  boatswain's  mate,  a  Portugese,  who 
seemed  to  be  at  the  head  of  the  malcontents ;  and  com- 
plaints were  muttered,  that  they  had  not  yet  received  their 
prize-money.  Such  expressions,  at  the  eve  of  an  action, 
were  but  ill  bodings  of  the  result  of  it ;  but  Captain  Law- 
rence, ignorant  as  he  was  of  the  character  of  his  sailors, 
and  unwilling  at  such  a  moment  to  damp  their  spirits  by 
harshness,  preserved  his  accustomed  calmness,  and  had 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON.  151 

prize-cliecks,  at  once,  given  by  the  purser  to  those  who 
had  not  received  them.  While  this  scene  was  passing, 
the  Shannon  observing  the  Chesajpealce  coming  out,  bore 
away.  The  Chesapeake  followed  her  till  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  when  she  hauled  up  and  fired  a  gun,  on 
which  the  Shannon  hove  to.  They  manoeuvred  for  some 
time,  till  at  about  a  quarter  before  six  they  approached 
within  pistol-shot,  and  exchanged  broadsides. 

"  These  broadsides  were  both  bloody  ;  but  the  fire  of 
the  Shannon  was  most  fortunate  in  the  destruction  of  offi- 
cers. The  fourth  lieutenant,  Mr.  Ballard,  was  mortally 
wounded — the  sailing  master  was  killed,  and  Captain 
Lawrence  received  a  musket  ball  in  his  leg,  which  caused 
great  pain,  and  profuse  bleeding,  but  he  leaned  on  the 
companion-way,  and  continued  to  order  and  to  animate 
his  crew.  A  second  and  a  third  broadside  was  exchanged, 
with  evident  advantage  on  the  part  of  the  ChesajoeaJce ;  but, 
unfortunately,  among  those  now  wounded  on  board  of  her, 
was  the  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Ludlow,  who  was  carried 
below — ^three  men  were  successively  shot  from  the  helm 
in  about  twelve  minutes  from  the  commencement  of  the 
action ;  and,  as  the  hands  were  shifting,  a  shot  disabled 
her  foresail,  so  that  she  would  no  longer  answer  her  helm, 
and  her  anchor  caught  in  one  of  the  afterports  of  the  Shan- 
non,  which  enabled  the  latter  to  rake  her  upperdeck.  As 
soon  as  Lawrence  perceived  that  she  was  faUing  to  lee- 
ward, and  that  by  the  Shannon's  filling  she  would  fall  on 


152  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOlir. 

board,  lie  called  his  boarders,  and  was  giving  orders  about 
the  foresail,  when  he  received  a  mnsket  ball  in  his  body. 
The  bugleman,  who  should  have  called  the  boarders,  did 
not  do  his  duty ;  and,  at  this  moment.  Commodore  Broke, 
whose  ship  had  suffered  so  much  that  he  was  preparing  to 
repel  boarding,  perceiving,  from  this  accident,  how  the 
deck  of  the  ChesajoeaJce  was  swept,  jumped  on  board  with 
about  twenty  men.  They  would  have  been  instantly  re- 
pelled; but  the  captain,  the  first  lieutenant,  the  sailing 
master,  the  boatswain,  lieutenant  of  marines,  the  only 
acting  lieutenant  on  the  spardeck,  were  all  killed  or  dis- 
abled. At  the  call  of  the  boarders,  Lieutenant  Cox  ran 
on  deck,  but  just  in  time  to  receive  his  falling  commander, 
and  bear  him  below.  Lieutenant  Budd — the  second  lieu- 
tenant— led  up  the  boarders,  but  only  fifteen  or  twenty 
would  follow  him,  and  with  these  he  defended  the  ship 
till  he  was  wounded  and  disabled.  Lieutenant  Ludlow, 
wounded  as  he  was,  hurried  upon  deck,  where  he  soon 
received  a  mortal  cut  from  a  sabre.  The  marines  who 
were  engaged  fought  with  desperate  courage ;  but  they 
were  few  in  numbers  ;  too  many  of  them  having  followed 
the  Portuguese  boatswain's  mate,  who  exclaimed,  it  is 
said,  as  he  skulked  below,  '  so  much  for  not  paying  men 
their  prize-money.'  Meanwhile  the  Shannon  threw  on 
board  sixty  additional  men,  who  soon  succeeded  in  over- 
powering the  seamen  of  the  Ghesapeahe,  who  had  now  no 
officers  to  lead  or  rally  them,  and  took  possession  of  the 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  153 

ship  ;  which  was  not,  however,  surrendered  by  any  signal 
of  submission ;  but  became  the  enemy's,  only  because 
they  were  able  to  overwhelm  all  who  were  in  a  condition 
to  resist. 

"As  Captain  Lawrence  was  carried  below,  he  per- 
ceived the  melancholy  condition  of  the  Chesapeake,  but 
cried  out,  '  Don't  surrender  the  ship.'  He  was  taken 
down  in  the  wardroom,  and  as  he  lay  in  excruciating 
pain,  perceiving  that  the  noise  above  had  ceased,  he 
ordered  the  surgeon  to  go  on  deck,  and  tell  the  officers  to 
fight  on  to  the  last,  and  never  strike  the  colors.  '  They 
shall  wave,'  said  he,  '  while  I  live.'  But  it  was  too  late 
to  resist  or  to  struggle  longer ;  the  enemy  had  already 
possession  of  the  ship.  As  Captain  Lawrence's  wounds 
would  not  allow  of  his  removal,  he  continued  in  the  ward- 
room, surrounded  by  his  wounded  officers,  and,  after  lin- 
gering in  great  pain  for  four  days,  during  which  his  suf- 
ferings were  too  acute  to  permit  him  to  speak,  or,  perhaps, 
to  think  of  the  sad  events  he  had  just  witnessed,  or  do 
more  than  ask  for  what  his  situation  required,  he  died  on 
the  5th  of  June.  His  body  was  wrapped  in  the  colors  of 
the  GhesapeaJce,  and  laid  on  the  quarterdeck,  until  they 
arrived  at  Halifax,  where  he  was  buried  with  the  highest 
military  and  naval  honors  ;  the  British  officers  forgetting 
for  a  moment,  in  their  admiration  of  his  character,  that 
he  had  been  but  lately  their  enemy.  His  pall  was  sup- 
ported by  the  oldest  captains  in  the  navy  then  at  Halifax, 
7* 


154  LIFE   OF  JOHN  EEICSSON. 

and  no  demonstration  of  respectful  attention  was  omitted 
to  honor  the  remains  of  a  brave,  but  unfortunate  stranger. 
Thus  prematurely  perished,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two,  this 
gaUant  and  generous  seaman." 

AU  the  vessels  up  to  this  period  were  propelled  by 
canvas.  For  almost  half  a  century  our  navy  had  little 
to  do  on  the  watery  plain  of  national  warfare.  The  South, 
anticipating  a  struggle  for  supremacy,  had  for  the  last  few 
years  preceding  the  civil  conflict,  artfully  managed,  through 
her  control  of  the  Government,  to  scatter  the  vessels  of 
our  navy,  which  at  best  was  poorly  prepared  for  war,  to 
different  parts  of  the  world. 

After  the  political  storm  which  has  burst  upon  us  be- 
gan to  lower  upon  the  Southern  sky  during  the  winter  of 
1860-61,  Congress  appointed  a  Committee  to  inquire  into 
the  condition  of  our  naval  force. 

And  do  you  know  the  result  ?  if  not,  can  you  guess  ? 

Of  the  ninety  vessels,  the  steamer  Brooklyn,  carrying 
twenty-five  guns,  and  the  Belief  with  two  guns,  a  store- 
ship,  only  were  left  to  defend  the  entire  Atlantic  coast  of 
many  thousands  of  miles  ! 

"  Where  were  all  the  rest?"  you  ask. 

Twenty-eight  were  lying  in  port  dismantled  and  unfit 
for  service.  The  other  fifty  were  in  the  East  Indies,  in 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  in  various  harbors  at  home  and 
abroad,  but  unavailable  for  armed  protection  of  the  Re- 
public, in  danger  from  her  own  petted  children. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICSSON.  155 

During  that  same  winter  fifty-six  officers  of  the  navy 
resigned  because  they  were  tired  of  the  old  flag ;  eleven 
of  these  were  educated  in  the  United  States  Naval  Acad- 
emy. Grateful  men !  you  exclaim.  There  is  no  grati- 
tude in  treason.  This  demon  expels  the  nobler  sentiments 
of  the  soul. 

The  nation  waked  up  from  a  pleasant  dream  to  the 
music  of  cannon ;  and  lo  !  with  no  army,  but  few  arms, 
and  a  navy  reduced  to  this  well-nigh  worthless  weakness 
by  treachery,  we  were  in  the  midst  of  hostile  "  brethren" 
who  were  prepared  to  enter  the  field  with  at  least  forty 
thousand  men  armed  for  battle,  and  their  hands  firmly 
grasping  all  the  sources  of  our  strength.  And  yet  Con- 
gress adjourned  without  making  a  new  law  for  the  work 
of  preparation  to  meet  our  enemies ;  not  a  ship  was  re- 
called from  the  distant  stations,  where  their  presence  was 
comparatively  unnecessary,  but  rather  a  show  of  naval 
strength. 

About  three  weeks  after  the  new  President  was  in- 
augurated, for  the  first  time,  with  soldiers  and  cannon  to 
guard  him  and  "  keep  the  peace,"  the  sloop-of-war  Cum- 
herland,  flag-ship  of  Commodore  Pendergrast,  sailed  into 
Chesapeake  Bay.  The  now  loyal  Secretary  of  the  Navy 
laid  his  official  hand  on  this  gmd  ship,  and  kept  her  at 
Norfolk  for  the  hour  of  peril  which  seemed  to  be  near. 
There  we  had  a  noble  navy  yard  filled  with  arms  and 
anmiunition. 


156  LIFE  OF  JOHN  ERICSSON. 

The  vessels  were  not  in  condition  to  be  taken  away 
into  service  ;  but  worse  than  this,  no  effort  was  made,  be- 
cause it  was  feared  the  traitors  might  he  offended ;  in 
other  words,  it  was  the  well-intended  policy  to  conciliate 
and  not  irritate,  the  determined  foes  of  the  Republic. 
The  Merrimac  was  ordered  to  be  put  in  order  for  sea  and 
tow  out  other  ships,  and  then  proceed  to  Philadelphia. 

Commodore  McAuley,  a  cunning  traitor,  was  the  com- 
mandant of  the  yard,  and  watching  every  movement  there. 
April  17th,  1S61,  the  Merrimac  was  ready  to  start,  but  the 
commodore  refused  to  have  the  fires  kindled.  The  next 
morning,  however,  the  smoke  rose  from  the  dark  pipes, 
and  the  steam  began  to  hiss.  Still  she  did  not  move,  and 
before  night  the  furnaces  were  out.  This  startled  the 
Government,  and  Commodore  Paulding  was  sent  with  a 
small  force  to  look  after  the  navy  yard  and  its  officers. 
The  troops  were  mainly  Massachusetts  "  boys  "  who  had 
arrived  just  before  at  Fortress  Monroe.  What  a  sad  ex- 
pedition !  The  commandant  was  working  hard  for  trea- 
son. The  channel  had  been  filled  with  obstructions  to 
keep  the  vessels  at  Norfolk,  and  many  of  them  were  scut- 
tled ;  that  is,  opened  at  the  bottom  to  let  in  the  water. 
So  Commodore  Paulding,  finding  that  the  powder  maga- 
zine was  seized  and  resistance  was  hazardous,  made  a 
finish  of  the  destruction,  as  far  as  possible,  to  weaken 
the  rebels,  and  towing  the  Cumberland  away  through  the 
very  flames  of  burning  masts  and  ships,  left  the  ruins  to 


LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  157 

the  enemy.  We  lost  then  and  there,  two  thousand  can- 
non, and  a  great  quantity  of  powder,  to  be  used  against  us. 
You  will  learn  hereafter  what  that  memorable  scene, 
with  its  Cumberland  and  JferWmac,  had  to  do  with  Ericsson 
and  his  marvellous  inventionsf  While  the  property  of  the 
United  States  was  on  fire  at  Norfolk,  the  Swede  was 
quietly  bending  over  his  diagrams  and  models  in  his  pleas- 
ant residence  fronting  St.  John's  Park,  New  York. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


The  "Merchant  Prince" — His  Interview  with  Captain  Ericsson— The  Inventor 
and  the  Naval  Department — The  Mysterious  Box — On  the  way  to  "Washing- 
ton— Its  fortimes  there. 


\T  is  not  strange  that  patriotic  men  of  wealtli  began 
to  think  and  act  in  earnest  in  behalf  of  our  navy. 
Private  citizens  poured  out  their  money  like  water, 
for  the  nation's  deliverance  from  the  dark  plot 
against  its  life. 
Donald  McKay,  the  American  ship-builder,  who  was 
in  London  during  the  memorable  winter  referred  to  al- 
ready, wrote  home,  urging  the  country  to  strengthen  the 
navy  by  building  new  vessels,  and  plating  with  iron  the 
old  wooden  ones. 

As  spring  time  approached  another  warning  voice 
was  lifted  in  the  nation's  ear.  Civil  engineer,  Mr. 
Charles  Ellet,  called  the  attention  of  the  Government  to 
our  "  Military  Incapacity."  Had  you  been  in  the  Capitol, 
which  has  recently  with  lavish  expense  been  put  in  ele- 


LIFE   OP  JOHN   EEIC880N.  159 

gant  order,  in  February,  you  would  have  seen  in  each 
Congressman's  hand  a  pamphlet  bearing  the  title  given 
above.  He  seems  to  have  had  a  prophet's  foresight,  as 
extracts  from  his  earnest  appeal  vsrill  show.  He  said : 
"  It  is  not  generally  known  that  the  rebels  have  now  five 
steam  rams  nearly  ready  for  use.  Of  these,  the  one  at 
Norfolk  is  doubtless  the  most  formidable,  being  the 
United  States  steam  frigate  Merrimac,  which  has  been  so 
strengthened,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  rebels  it  may  be 
used  as  a  ram.  But  we  have  not  a  single  vessel  at  sea, 
nor,  as  far  as  I  know,  in  course  of  construction,  able  to 
cope  at  all  with  a  well-built  ram.  If  the  Merrimac  is 
permitted  to  escape  from  Elizabeth  River,  she  will  be  al- 
most certain  to  commit  depredations  on  our  armed  and 
unarmed  vessels  in  Hampton  Roads,  and  may  even  be 
esjpected  to  pass  out  under  the  guns  of  Fortress  Monroe, 
and  prey  upon  our  commerce  in  Chesapeake  Bay.  In- 
deed, if  the  alterations  have  been  skilfully  made,  and  she 
succeeds  in  getting  to  sea,  she  will  not  only  be  a  terrible 
scourge  to  our  commerce,  but  may  also  prove  to  be  a 
most  dangerous  visitor  to  our  blockading  squadrons  off 
the  harbors  of  the  Southern  coasts.  I  think  the  danger 
from  these  tremendous  engines  is  very  imminent  hut  not  at 
all  appreciated.  Experience  derived  from  accidental  col- 
Hsions,  shows  that  a  vessel  struck  in  the  waist  by  a  steam 
ram,  at  sea,  will  go  down  almost  instantaneously,  and  in- 
volve, as  it  often  has  happened,  all  on  board."     The  ram, 


160  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSOIS". 

you  know,  is  an  iron  front  or  prow  made  on  purpose 
to  strike  an  enemy's  ships. 

First  ID.  the  field  of  activity  here  was  C.  S.  Bushnell, 
Esq.,  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  He  had  been  some- 
thing of  "  a  salt ; "  in  other  words,  had  in  his  youth  been 
a  sailor.  He  had  considerable  knowledge  of  ships,  and 
his  quick  intellect  saw  that  the  Republic  must  add  to  her 
scientific  achievements  greater  progress  in  naval  warfare. 
God's  providence  here  is  seen  most  clearly.  He  had 
given  wealth  to  the  lover  of  ocean-leviathans  for  man's 
use,  and  now  sent  an  awakening  inspiration  to  make  that 
experience,  passion  for  nautical  enterprise,  and  money, 
available  in  the  coming  crisis  of  the  nation's  existence. 
Mr.  Bushnell  thought  and  dreamed  over  ships,  like  ancient 
chieftains  in  a  coat  of  mail — noble  vessels  clad  in  iron — 
sea  kings  walking  the  waters  in  metallic,  impenetr£|LJa 
robes. 

He  talked  with  men  of  science,  and  studied  plans  which 
they  proposed,  for  such  unknown  yet  possible  warriors. 
The  result  of  the  consultations,  suggestions,  and  diagrams, 
was  a  projected  gunboat,  to  be  called  the  "  Galena."  It 
is  decided  to  build  the  "  craft."  The  ablest  naval  archi- 
tects scan  doubtfully  the  pictured  iron-Neptune. 

"  The  weight  of  iron  will  siak  her,"  declares  one. 

"  She  may  float,  but  can  make  no  headway  in  a  heavy 
sea,"  thinks  another. 

Away  to  New  York  goes  the  perplexed  but  not  dis- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  161 

couraged  merchant.  The  fame  of  Captain  Ericsson  was 
familiar  to  him.  As  a  final  resort,  a  decisive  counsellor, 
he  seeks  his  plain,  substantial,  pleasant  residence  in  Beach 
street.  The  enthusiastic,  yet  dignified  Swede,  runs  his 
finger  over  the  diagrams,  and  listens  to  the  equally  en- 
thusiastic merchant.  "Your  calculations  are  correct," 
he  remarks,  "but  the  vessel  will  not  be  invulnerable. 
Her  sides  vsdll  not  be  shot-proof."  Captain  Ericsson  then 
inquires  if  Mr.  Bushnell  desired  to  undertake  the  construc- 
tion of  a  floating  battery  impenetrable  by  the  heaviest 
ball,  able  to  resist  any  attack  by  land  fortress,  or  on  the 
sea.  This  was  precisely  what  the  "  wide-awake  Yankee" 
wanted  ;  and  it  was  the  darling  cherished  ideal  of  the  no- 
ble Swede.  He  rises,  takes  from  a  shelf  a  plain  casket,  ^ 
not  of  jewels  or  gold,  but  of  miniature  machinery.  No 
diamond-digger,  pearl-diver,  or  gold-hunter,  had  ever  toil- 
ed so  hard  for  his  treasure,  as  had  that  strong  man  for  the 
contents  of  that  oblong  box,  a  foot  and  a  half  by  fourteen 
inches.  He  lifts  the  machine  from  its  cage,  saying: 
"  This  is  the  result  of  the  labors  of  twenty  years  of  my 
Hfe." 

The  inventor  explains  to  his  intensely  interested  lis- 
tener the  marvel  of  his  busy  brain.  When  this  creation 
of  a  splendid  mind  lay  like  a  perfect  chronometer  before 
his  eye,  and  was  already  proudly,  in  his  vision,  riding  the 
waves,  he  was  fired  with  the  greatness  of  the  revolution 
on  that  field  of  conflict,  but  partially  discerned,  reposing 


162  LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

like  an  infa,nt  giant  in  the  cradle,  within  the  wooden 
casket.     Undeveloped  power  was  clearly  there, 

"  Go  with  me  to  Washington  and  help  me  to  get  this 
invention  before  the  Government,"  earnestly  urges  the 
capitalist. 

"  Pardon  me,  that  I  cannot  do.  I  must  decline  any 
farther  negotiations  there,"  replies  Captain  Ericsson. 

He  further  told  Mr.  Bushnell,  that  a  few  years  before 
he  sent  a  duplicate  of  the  model  to  Louis  Napoleon,  but 
nothing  had  been  attempted.  So  near  did  we  come  by 
our  stupidity  losing  for  ourselves,  and  giving  to  the  most 
ambitious  monarch  of  Europe,  the  grandest  offspring  of 
modern  genius.  But  again  a  kind  Providence  watched 
over  a  Pepublic,  and  a  home  for  the  Ericssons  of  the  old 
world.  The  inventor  offered  to  commit  to  Mr.  Bushnell's 
disposal  the  plans  and  model.  In  a  few  hours  he  bade 
the  captain  adieu,  and  with  the  box  started  for  the  depot 
of  the  railway  leading  to  Washington.  The  man  of 
wealth  was  never  happier  counting  his  possessions,  than 
now,  with  the  casket  whose  contents  had  been  worthless 
to  kings.  Nobody  in  the  cars  cares,  further  than  a  pass- 
ing curiosity,  perhaps,  as  the  glance  rests  on  the  singular 
piece  of  baggage  by  the  traveller's  side.  It  is  altogether 
probable  some  supposed  it  a  wandering  jeweller's  stock  in 
trade,  little  dreaming  that  our  nation's  honor  was  carried 
in  the  unpretending  box. 

"  Washington  I "  called  out  the  conductor.     Mr.  Bush- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  163 

nell,  box  in  hand,  stepped  into  Pennsylvania  Avenue 
and  sought  quarters  at  a  hotel.  Fortunately  for  him  he 
met  soon  after  two  men  of  wealth  and  noble  enterprise 
from  Troy,  New  York.  To  these  gentlemen,  Messrs.  J. 
A.  Griswold  and  J.  F.  Winslow,  he  showed  his  treasure 
and  told  his  plans.  They  decided  to  embark  with  him  in 
the  design  of  testing  the  value  of  the  contents  of  the  in- 
ventor's casket. 

We  will  glance  at  Congress  again.  August  3d,  18G1, 
it  had  directed  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  appoint  "  a 
Board  of  three  skilful  naval  officers"  to  investigate  the 
plans  for  iron  clad  ships,  batteries,  (fee,  and  if  they  re- 
ported favorably,  the  Secretary  might  expend  $1,500,000 
in  building  some  of  these  metallic  sea  warriors.  Commo- 
dores J.  Smith  and  H.  Paulding,  and  Captain  C.  H. 
Davis,  were  selected  for  that  Board.  This  was  the  con- 
dition of  naval  affairs  when  Captain  Ericsson's  friends 
were  in  Washington. 

The  first  thing  was  to  call  on  President  Lincoln.  The 
miysterious  box  was  opened,  the  models  taken  out,  the  dia- 
grams displayed.  Our  practical,  sensible  President,  look- 
ed over  the  miniature  monitors  carefully,  and  said  :  "  Gen- 
tlemen, the  invention  strikes  me  very  favorably,  but  I  do 
not  pretend  to  have  much  knowledge  of  such  matters.  I 
will,  however,  accompany  you  to  the  Naval  Board,  and 
lay  the  matter  before  it."  Mr.  Lincoln  led  his  visitors  to 
the  marble  pile  in  which  the  Board  held  its  consultations. 


164  LIFE   OF  JOHN  EEICSSON". 

The  exhibition  of  mechanism  and  figures  was  again  made  ; 
but,  like  the  British  Admiralty,  the  members  were  in- 
credulous. It  was  a  new  thing  for  the  waters,  indeed,  and 
without  any  likeness  to  the  floating  creations  of  human 
skill,  since  time  began. 

A  prominant  naval  officer  said  :  "  It  resembles  nothing 
in  the  heavens  above,  or  the  earth  beneath,  or  the  waters 
under  the  earth.  You  can  take  it  home  and  worshi'p  it 
without  violating  any  commandment" 

What  shall  be  done  now  ?  The  money-kings  hold  a 
council,  and  conclude,  if  possible,  to  bring  Captain  Ericsson 
before  the  arbiters  of  the  monitor's  fate.  With  his  clear 
explanations  and  glowing  enthusiasm,  they  were  sure  of 
producing  conviction  on  the  minds  of  the  Board.  The 
night  train  of  cars  bore  Mr.  Bushnell  to  New  York.  It 
was  no  small  endeavor  demanded  to  persuade  the  inventor, 
disgusted  with  the  Capital,  to  go  there  again ;  but  the 
evening  came,  and  in  the  gaslight  of  the  great  city  the 
two  noblemen  moved  toward  the  depot  for  Washington. 
The  arrival  there  was  followed  by  another  interview  with 
the  Naval  Board,  and  what  the  wise  officials  did  we  shall 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Great  Decision— Eatified  by  Congress— The  Contract— Its  strictness  alarms 
the  Money  Kings— The  Monitor  is  begun— The  Builders  and  its  Building — 
The  Iron-works — The  Strange  Craft  completed. 

)N'  a  few  days  the  Committee  reported  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy  their  decision,  which  was  ap- 
proved by  Congress. 

I  hear  a  voice  exclaim :  "  I  know  what  it  was  ; 
to  let  Captain  Ericsson  build  his  Monitor." 

Yes,  but  do  you  know  how  near  he  came  losing  the 

The  recommendation  was  to  build  three  iron-clads, 
the  Galena^  the  Ironsides^  and  the  Monitor.  But  see  how 
very  cautiously  and  curiously  the  permission  given  to  the 
Swede  to  build,  was  expressed : 

"J.  Ericsson,  New  York.  This  plan  of  a  floating 
battery  is  novel,  but  seems  to  be  based  upon  a  principle 
which  will  render  the  battery  shot  and  shell-proof.  It  is 
to  be  apprehended  that  her  properties  for  sea  are  not  such 
as  a  sea-going  vessel  should  possess.     But  she  may  be 


166  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSOIS'. 

moved  from  one  place  to  another  on  the  coast  in  smooth 
water.  We  recommend  that  an  experiment  be  made  with 
one  battery  of  this  description  on  the  terms  proposed,  with 
a  guarantee  and  forfeiture  in  case  of  failure  in  any  of  the 
properties  and  points  of  the  vessel  as  proposed.  Price 
$275,000."  The  contract  required  that  the  battery  be 
finished  within  a  hundred  days  from  the  date  of  sign- 
ing it. 

We  never  knew  the  importance  which  Grod  in  his  prov- 
idence attaches  to  any  act,  however  trivial  it  may  seem 
to  us.  In  this  view  there  are  no  trifles  in  human  life. 
The  Congressional  Committee  and  Congress  itself  had  no 
idea  at  all  of  the  vast,  the  momentous  result  of  that  cautious 
conclusion.  It  is  felt  around  the  globe.  At  the  time 
there  was  a  new  danger  of  failure;  the  strictness  of  the 
contract  frightened  the  captain's  friends,  who  held  the 
purse. 

They  consulted  together.  "  What  if  the  fears  of  the 
committee  prove  well  founded?  What  will  become  of  the 
fortune  invested  ?"  was  the  anxious  inquiry. 

But  patriotism  prevailed,  and  the  confidence  of  the 
wealthy  friends  of  the  inventor  in  his  clear  head  which 
had  thought  out  the  monitor,  was  unshaken.  The  con- 
tract to  build  the  vessel  was  given  to  Mr.  J.  F.  Rowland, 
of  the  Continental  Works,  New  York,  and  the  work  at 
once  conamenced.  Step  into  the  grand  manufactory  of 
these  iron  corsairs  of  the  sea. 


LITE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  167 

"What  are  those  heaps  back  of  the  forges?"  One 
who  was  there  will  answer : 

"  They  are  'scrap  iron* — iron  of  every  form  and  use, 
which,  having  performed  its  fmictions  in  one  shape,  has 
been  brought  here  from  a  thousand  quarters  to  undergo  a 
new  transmutation.  In  the  economy  of  manufactures,  as 
in  that  of  nature,  nothing  is  absolutely  lost.  In  one  heap 
we  see  piled  up  fragments  of  steam  engines,  reaping  ma- 
chines, and  the  like ;  close  by  is  a  pile  of  the  worn-out 
fragments  of  smaller  wares.  We  took  the  trouble  to  note 
some  of  the  articles  in  this  pile  of  old  iron.  There  were 
locks  and  padlocks,  rusty  keys,  kitchen  pokers,  knife- 
blades,  screws,  steelyard  beams,  skate  irons,  curling-tongs, 
halves  of  shears,  sofa  springs,  cork-screws,  shovel-blades, 
tong-handles,  pot-hooks,  spoons,  ladles,  bridle-bits,  and 
above  all  horse-shoes.  Not  a  bit  or  fragment  of  iron  is 
lost.  Every  ounce  has  its  value,  transmutable,  if  not  into 
gold,  into  copper  and  silver  when  brought  to  any  foundry. 
The  larger  pieces  have  to  be  cut  up  to  get  them  into  man- 
ageable size." 

"  And  how  can  such  solid  iron  be  cut  f" 

"This  is  done  by  the  '  Cutting  Machine' — an  instru- 
ment not  unlike,  in  general  appearance,  the  '  straw-cutters' 
used  by  farmers,  in  which  the  knife  descends  perpendicu- 
larly. The  thickest  boiler-plates  are  shred  by  it  as  easily 
as  a  child  cuts  a  sheet  of  paper  with  her  scissors ;  bars  as 


168  LIFE  OF  JOHN  EEICSSON. 

large  as  a  man's  ancle  are  cut  apart  with  no  more  ap* 
parent  effort  than  is  required  to  slice  a  radish." 

"  I  would  like  to  know  what  is  done  with  the  metallic 
kindling  wood,  after  the  scissors  have  made  it  fine,"  a 
reader  adds. 

"These  scraps  are  piled  up  into  'fagots'  about  two 
feet  square,  and  thrust  into  the  furnaces  of  which  we  see 
a  row,  looking  not  unlike  bakers'  ovens,  and  in  fact 
scarcely  larger.  The  draft  of  these  is  supplied  by  a  fan, 
which  revolves  eighteen  hundred  times  in  a  minute,  creat- 
ing the  most  intense  heat ;  tongues  of  white  flame  shoot 
out  from  every  crack  and  crevice.  In  about  an  hour  the 
loose  fagot  is  brought  to  a  welding  heat.  One  workman 
raises  the  furnace-door,  while  another  grasps  the  ductile 
fagot  with  a  long  pair  of  tongs,  and  by  means  of  a  chain 
suspended  from  a  movable  pulley,  wheels  it  around  and 
places  it  on  the  anvil  of  the  forge.  It  is  of  an  intense 
cherry-red,  so  bright  that  the  eye  can  hardly  look  upon  it, 
and  apparently  as  ductile  as  wax.  The  end  of  a  long  iron 
rod,  with  a  crank-like  bend  in  the  handle,  is  laid  on  the 
fagot.  Down  comes  the  ponderous  hammer ;  the  first 
blow  shrinks  the  glowing  mass  to  half  its  former  dimen- 
sions, and  welds  it  firmly  to  the  handle,  by  which  the 
stalwart  workman  turns  it  over  and  over.  The  blows 
fall  thick  and  fast,  and  in  two  minutes  the  fagot  is  reduced 
to  a  solid  mass,  looking  like  a  rough  fragment  of  joist, 
some  four  feet  long  and  six  inches  square.     This  is  called 


LITE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  169 

a  '  bloom/  and  is  a  homogeneous  mass  of  iron  ;  the  locks, 
bolts,  boiler-plates,  pokers,  screws,  and  horse-shoes  of 
which  it  was  composed  having  lost  their  personal  identity. 
A  long-handled  knife  is  then  applied ;  one  blow  of  the 
hammer  upon  this  severs  the  rod  from  the  bloom.  This 
is  grasped,  still  red-hot,  by  another  workman  with  a 
pair  of  tongs,  placed  upon  a  truck,  and  wheeled  away 
to  cool. 

"  These  blooms  are  to  be  welded  and  hammered  into 
plates." 

"  And  what  is  the  next  process  in  plate-making  ?  " 
"  First,  the  blooms  are  put  into  a  furnace  till  made 
soft  by  the  intense  heat.  Then  the  crane  swings  round ; 
the  bar  is  withdrawn  from  the  furnace  and  wheeled  under 
the  hammer.  This  comes  down  with  a  heavy  thud  from 
its  full  height,  with  its  fifteen  thousand  and  more  pounds' 
"^eight.  These  blows  are  too  much  for  even  the  stub- 
bo^  -  blooms  ;  they  seem  to  glow  with  impotent  rage,  and 
send  out  fiery  sparks  as  the  huge  weight  falls  upon  them 
and  subdues  them  to  its  will.  It  is  surprising  to  see  the 
facility  with  which  the  dozen  stout,  swarthy  Titans  man- 
age the  huge  bar  of  iron,  which  is  delicately  balanced 
upon  its  suspending  chain.  They  tug  at  the  handles  until 
every  muscle  of  their  arms  and  chests  stand  out  like  whip- 
cords ;  they  turn  it  over  and  over,  presenting  now  this 
side,  now  that ;  now  one  edge,  and  then  the  other  to  the 
blows  of  the  hammer.  In  a  few  moments  the  piled-up 
8 


170  LIFE   OF  JOHK   EEICSS0:N'. 

blooms  are  blooms  no  more,  and  have  been  converted  into 
a  portion  of  a  plate.  This  process  is  repeated,  fresh  piles 
of  blooms  being  heaped  up  upon  the  end  of  the  plate, 
heated  and  hammered  out,  until  the  required  length  has 
been  attained. 

"  There  is  no  limit  to  the  size  of  the  plates  which  may 
be  made  by  the  processes  which  we  have  described,  except 
that  imposed  by  the  facility  of  handling  As  they  leave 
the  forge  the  usual  size  of  our  Roanohe  plates  is  about 
three  feet  wide,  twelve  or  fifteen  long,  and  four  and  a  half 
inches  thick." 

"  Tell  us  more  about  the  great  hammers,"  a  curious 
young  reader  says. 

"  The  dexterity  with  which  this  heavy  hammer  is 
managed  by  the  workman  on  his  high  platform  is  some- 
thing wonderful.  He  can  give  at  will  a  blow  of  the  full 
force  of  the  ten-feet  fall  of  the  seven-and-a-half-tons  ham- 
mer, aided  by  the  expansive  force  of  the  steam  let  in 
above  the  piston,  or  a  stroke  as  light  as  the  tap  of  a 
lady's  fan.  '  We  can  chip  an  Qgg  by  this  hammer  with- 
out crushing  it,'  said  Mr.  Tugnot  to  us.  "We  did  not  see 
the  experiment  tried ;  but  as  we  watched  the  blows,  now 
heavy,  now  light,  as  the  sides  or  edges  of  the  plate  were 
presented,  we  had  no  doubt  that  the  statement  was  liter- 
ally true.  We  may  say,  in  passing,  that  a  couple  of  years 
ago  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  '  Franklin  Forge,'  while 
in  Great  Britain,  visited  the  leading  mechanical  estab- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  171 

lishments,  and  found  nothing  equal  to  his  own.  '  I  would 
not  give  shop-room  to  their  machines  ! '  he  said." 

"  But  how  are  the  massive  iron  slabs  bent  to  fit  the 
curves  and  angles  of  the  ship's  side  ?  " 

"  Each  is  taken  to  a  furnace  nearly  the  form  of  the 
plate,  with  a  movable  cover,  and  laid  in  the  fiery  bed  to 
soften  them  before  bending — ^being  much  too  solid  for 
shaping  it.  The  plate,  which  has  been  for  two  hours  in 
the  furnace,  has  become  thoroughly  heated  to  a  cherry 
red,  in  which  state  it  is  apparently  almost  as  ductile  as 
lead,  and  is  ready  for  bending.  A  sort  of  three-fingered 
iron  hand  has  been  resting  under  it.  A  crane  mounted 
on  a  truck  moving  upon  rails  is  wheeled  up,  the  chain  at- 
tached to  the  hand,  the  plate  withdravm  from  the  furnace, 
wheeled  to  the  press,  and  swung  between  the  dies.  The 
upper  one,  which  has  been  raised  a  yard  or  so,  is  let  go, 
and  comes  down  with  a  rush,  and  the  softened  plate  is 
bent  nearly  to  the  form  of  the  dies  at  once.  There  are 
also  a  set  of  screws  along  the  sides  for  tightening  the  dies 
where  necessary.  The  foreman  glances  along  the  plate, 
and  if  any  part  has  not  come  dovni  the  screws  at  the  place 
are  tightened  by  means  of  a  wrench  turned  by  two  stal- 
wart men  ;  the  perspiration,  forced  out  by  the  heat  from 
the  glowing  plate  and  their  own  exertions,  streams  from 
every  pore  ;,but  slowly  and  surely  the  screws  are  tight- 
ened, and  the  plate  is  brought  exactly  to  the  required 
sweep.     The  whole  operation  of  bending,  after  the  plate 


172  LIFE  OP  JOHN  EEICSSOIT. 

has  once  been  put  in  the  press,  hardly  occupies  five  min- 
utes. It  is  then  swung  out  by  the  crane,  and  deposited 
upon  a  truck  to  be  wheeled  away  and  sufiered  to  cool. 
Our  plate  is  now  finished,  and  will  fit  to  its  required  place 
on  the  ship's  side  as  closely  as  a  coat  made  by  the  most 
accomplished  master  of  the  sartorial  art." 

"  And  how  is  the  mailed  leviathan  built  when  the  in- 
vulnerable sMn  is  ready  for  it?  which  reminds  one  of 
Job's  description  of  a  living  monster,  from  whose  scales 
the  spear  harmlessly  glanced,  and  whose  defiant  move- 
ments made  '  the  deep  boil  like  a  pot.' " 

An  observer  and  interesting  writer,  from  whose 
sketches  we  have  abeady  quoted,  will  answer  the  ques- 
tion: 

"  All  the  preliminaries  are  the  same  for  an  iron  ves- 
sel. The  model,  plans,  and  working  drawings  are  made 
in  precisely  the  same  manner.  But  they  are  to  be  wrought 
out  in  iron  instead  of  wood,  which  requires  a  great  devi- 
ation in  details.  In  place  of  large  oaken  '  knees '  and 
*  fattocks,'  we  have  slender-looking '  ribs '  of  iron  ;  instead 
of  thick  planks  for  the  '  skin,'  we  have  iron  plates  of  less 
than  an  inch  in  thickness.  If  we  conceive  an  Indian 
canoe  enlarged  to  the  size  of  a  man-of-war,  we  shall  have 
an  almost  perfectly  accurate  idea  of  the  hull  of  an  iron 
vessel,  as  we  see  it  in  process  of  construction,  bearing  in 
mind  only  that  the  birch-bark  sides  and  slender  ashen 
supports  are  replaced  by  iron  plates  and  ribs.     These 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  173 

plates  and  ribs  are  riveted  together  in  the  most  elaborate 
manner,  and  this  constitutes  the  chief  apparent  work  of 
building  an  iron  hull.  Plates  and  ribs  have  been  bent 
each  to  it3  exact  shape,  and  the  countless  holes  have  been 
punched,  every  one  being  to  a  hair's-breadth  in  its  appro- 
priate place,  before  the  pieces  are  brought  to  the  stocks 
where  they  are  to  be  built  up.  Upon  each  vessel  are  a 
hundred  or  two  of  workmen,  seeming  to  cling  like  bees 
to  its  sides.  Little  portable  furnaces  at  short  intervals 
are  heating  the  rivets,  which  boys  are  carrying  around  to 
the  places  where  they  are  wanted.  The  riveter  takes  one 
of  these,  red-hot,  and  thrusts  it  through  the  hole  ;  another 
workman,  on  the  other  side,  holds  a  heavy  iron  bar  against 
the  end ;  the  first  workman,  or,  more  likely,  two  of  them 
— for  the  work  must  be  done  while  the  rivet  is  hot — ham- 
mers it  home.  A  head  is  thus  formed  upon  each  side, 
and  the  rivet  contracting  in  cooling  binds  the  plates  to- 
gether, making  a  water-tight  and  air-tight  joint.  They 
have  to  work  in  almost  every  conceivable  position  ;  ham- 
mering upward,  downward,  and  sideways.  Sometimes 
we  see  them  flat  upon  their  backs,  like  miners  in  narrow 
seams  of  coal  veins,  striking  upward.  So  plate  by  plate 
the  hull  is  built  up,  from  keel. to  deck.  As  we  look  upon 
her,  the  first  impression  is  one  of  extreme  fragility.  If 
we  cut  an  egg-shell  lengthwise  through  the  centre,  one 
half  of  it  would  present  an  appearance  not  unlike,  in 
shape  and  the  comparative  thickness  of  structure,  our 


174  LIFE   OF   JOHl^   EEICSSON. 

iron  hull,  which  is  to  float  the  defensive  armor  and  ag- 
gressive turret  of  our  new  Monitor.  In  fact  if  it  were  to 
to  be  exposed  to  a  cannon  ball,  it  would  be  pierced  as 
easily  as  an  egg-shell  would  be  by  a  pistol-bullet.  But  it 
is  to  be  exposed  to  no  such  hazard.  It  is  to  be  protected 
by  a  shield  which,  in  a  general  way,  we  may  consider 
impregnable." 

We  will  see  how  this  coat  of  mail  is  put  on.  "  About 
five  feet  from  the  top  of  our  hull  an  iron  shelf,  strongly 
braced,  projects  about  four  feet  from  the  side.  The 
width  of  this  shelf  is  filled  up  first  to  the  thickness  of 
more  than  three  feet  with  blocks  of  solid  oak,  all  around 
the  vessel.  Outside  of  this  solid  mass  of  wood,  braced 
with  iron,  are  bolted  the  armor  plates.  It  is  yet  a  moot 
question  whether  a  given  thickness  of  iron  possesses  more 
resisting  power  if  composed  of  one  solid  plate  or  of  a 
series  of  thinner  plates.  The  Roanoke  armor  is  of  solid 
plates ;  that  of  the  new  Monitor  is  of  a  series  of  five 
plates,  one  over  another,  each  an  inch  thick,  or  five  inches 
in  aU.  This  armor-shelf,  as  we  have  seen,  projects  about 
four  feet  over  the  sides  of  the  thin  hull,  which  we  have 
described.  It  is  some  five  feet  high.  This  hull  and  all 
but  two  feet  of  the  armor-shelf  is  below  the  water  when 
the  vessel  is  afloat ;  consequently,  no  shot  fired  from  an 
opposing  vessel  or  battery  can  possibly  reach  the  lower 
hull  vvdthout  flLrst  having  penetrated  the  iron-plated  armor 
timbers.      This  'platform'- — for  this  is  the  most  eon- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON.  175 

venient  term  by  which  to  designate  it — projects  at  the 
sides,  as  we  have  seen,  about  four  feet  beyond  the  proper 
hull,  but  at  the  bow  and  stern  much  more,  in  order  to 
afford  a  like  protection  to  the  rudder,  propeller,  anchor, 
and  capstan.  The  projection  at  the  stern  is  about  ten 
feet,  at  the  bow  about  sixteen." 

And  now  let  us  look  at  the  turret-building — the  very 
part  without  which  iron-clads,  but  not  monitors,  would 
darken  the  waters : 

"  The  turret,  or  castle,  is  made  of  a  series  of  plates 
of  rolled  iron,  eleven  in  number,  each  an  inch  thick.  As 
they  come  here  from  the  mills  where  they  are  rolled  they 
are  simply  iron  boards,  nine  feet  long,  three  wide,  and  an 
inch  thick.  Each  of  them  is  to  be  bent  into  the  shape  of 
the  segment  of  a  circle,  twenty-three  feet  in  diameter, 
which  is  to  be  the  size  of  the  tm-rets.  For  this  purpose 
a  massive  press  has  been  prepared.  The  bed,  which  is 
movable  up  and  down,  has  its  upper  surface  turned  to  the 
precise  curve  of  the  turret.  This  is  raised  by  a  hydraulic 
ram  capable  of  giving  a  pressure  of  1,400  tons  against  a 
stationary  plate,  whose  lower  surface  has  the  same  curve 
as  the  bed.  The  flat  turret  plate  is  slid  into  this  press, 
the  ram  is  worked,  the  bed  rises,  and  the  plate  is  bent  to 
the  curve  of  the  mould.  This  is  done  without  heating 
the  plates,  the  enormous  pressure  being  sufficient  to  give 
them  the  form  required,  without  the  necessity  of  rendering 
these  inch  plates  ductile  by  heat.     They  are  now  taken  to 


176  LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

an  adjacent  building  and  temporarily  set  up  into  a  turret. 
Here  a  circle  of  solid  oak  timber  has  been  laid  down  as  a 
foundation.  Upon  this  a  framework  of  boards  has  been 
built  of  the  shape  of  the  turret,  to  support  the  plates  in 
the  position  which  they  are  to  assume.  This  looks  much 
like  the  skeleton  of  a  gigantic  cistern  ;  against  this  frame 
the  plates  of  the  first  course  are  placed,  the  necessary 
holes  for  the  bolts  having  been  meanwhile  punched  in 
them.  Then  the  second  course  is  set  up  against  this,  the 
bolt  holes  of  which  must  be  made  to  correspond  exactly 
with  those  of  the  first.  This  is  done  by  a  simple  process. 
The  end  of  a  pine  stick,  of  the  size  of  the  holes  in  the 
first  plate,  is  covered  with  paint,  thrust  through  the  holes, 
leaving  its  mark  on  the  plate  of  the  second  course.  These 
white  marks  show  exactly  where  the  holes  in  the  second 
course  are  to  be  made.  This  being  done,  the  third  course 
is  set  up  in  like  manner  ;  the  places  for  the  holes  marked, 
the  plates  taken  away  and  punched,  brought  back  again, 
set  up  in  place  ;  and  so  on  with  the  whole  eleven  courses 
of  which  the  turret  is  composed.  The  holes  in  these 
plates  are  punched  instead  of  being  drilled,  as  we  have 
seen  done  in  the  thick  plates.  This  is  performed  by  a 
powerful  punching  machine,  which,  at  a  single  stroke, 
drives  out  a  '  button,'  making  a  clean  hole  of  the  size  re- 
quired as  rapidly  as  the  workmen  can  move  the  plates 
under  the  punch.  We  have  seen  twenty  holes  of  this  size 
punched  in  a  minute.     The  courses  are  all  so  arranged  as 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEIC8S0N.  177 

to  'break  joints;'  that  is,  the  joints  between  no  two 
courses  are  directly  opposite  each  other.  The  courses 
being  all  set  up,  if  we  look  through  the  holes  we  shall  see 
that,  although  they  come  very  well  in  a  line,  there  are 
some  little  irregularities — a  very  slight  variation  in  each 
plate  becoming  quite  noticeable  when  multiplied  by  the 
whole  eleven.  This  is  very  easily  remedied  by  means  of 
a  steel  instrument  called  a  '  reamer'— a  bit,  in  fact,  with 
two  sharp  edges.  This  is  passed  through  the  whole  length 
of  the  hole,  and  turned  about,  trimming  off  all  the  irreg- 
ularities, and  making  the  hole  as  smooth  as  the  bore^of  a 
gun.  Our  turret  is  now  set  up  and  finished,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  fixtures  and  the  portholes  for  the  two  guns. 
These  are  to  be  drilled  out  of  the  solid  mass,  and  the 
edges  of  the  plates  properly  secured.  Each  plate  has  of 
course  been  numbered — '  Plate  1,  Course  1,'  and  so  on 
through  the  whole  series,  242  for  each  turret,  if  we  count 
correctly ;  so  that,  having  been  taken  down,  they  can  be 
readily  set  up  on  board  the  vessel  itself  in  just  the  same 
order.  On  the  vessel  the  turret  rests  upon  a  circular  base 
of  brass,  which  revolves  upon  a  similar  plate  upon  the 
deck,  by  means  of  a  shaft  worked  by  a  steam  engine." 

"  And  where  is  Captain  Ericsson  during  all  this  hard 
and  busy  work  ?  " 

"  He  was  in  every  part  of  the  vessel  apparently  at 
the  same  moment,  skipping  over  planks  and  gangways, 
and  up  and  down  ladders,  as  though  he  were  a  boy  of  six- 
8* 


178  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

teen.  It  seemed  as  though  a  plate  could  not  be  placed  or 
a  bolt  struck  without  his  making  his  appearance  at  the 
workman's  side." 

Thousands  of  people  went  to  look  at  the  strange  me- 
tallic craft,  taking  form  under  the  blows  of  hundreds  of 
strong  arms. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


What  Visitors  said  of  the  Monitor— The  Launch — A  Memorable  Day — The 
Completed  Work— The  Vessel  manned  and  at  Sea— The  Voyage- The  Naval 
Position— The  Crisis. 


CURIOUS  volume  indeed  might  have  been  writ- 
ten of  the  scenes  and  comments  which  attended 
the  creation  of  the  silent,  gloomy  object  of  won- 
der. "  The  Monitor,  while  on  her  '  ways/  was 
quite  generally  regarded  as  an  experiment  that 
would  be  sure  to  fail.  She  was  deficient,  it  was  said,  in 
this  point  and  that.  She  could  not  carry  her  weight  of 
armor ;  her  turret  would  not  revolve  properly  ;  no  living 
men  could  work  her  guns  in  that  narrow  space ;  and, 
first  of  all,  in  the  judgment  of  experienced  ship-builders, 
she  could  never  be  launched.  There  was  plausibiHty 
in  this  opinion.  The  raft-like  upper  hull,  projecting 
far  beyond  the  lower  one,  was  so  loaded  with  armor 
as  to  be  far  heavier  than  water,  and  besides  there 
was  the  weight  of  the  ponderous  turret  and  the  heavy 


180  LIFE   OF  JOHK  ERICSSON. 

macliuierj.  This  would  strike  tlie  water  first,  with  noth- 
ing to  sustain  it,  and  so  when  the  vessel  slid  from  her  in- 
clined ways,  she  would  go  straight  down  to  the  bottom 
like  an  iron  bar.  '  If  Ericsson  ever  finds  his  battery- 
after  she  is  launched,'  it  was  said,  '  he  will  have  to  fish 
her  up  from  the  mud,  into  which  her  stern  will  surely 
plunge.'  And  so  he  would  have  done  had  she  been  sent 
alone  from  her  '  ways.'  But  this  casualty  had  been  fore- 
seen and  provided  for  by  Mr.  Rowland.  Two  great 
wooden  tanks  had  been  prepared,  which,  before  the 
launch,  were  chained  to  the  almost  solid  overhanging 
stern  of  the  upper  hull,  buoying  it  up  as  they  touched  the 
water  until  the  lower  hull  came  into  the  stream.  Valves 
in  the  tanks  were  then  opened,  the  water  rushed  in,  sink- 
ing them  down ;  then  they  were  disengaged,  floated  off, 
and  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  Monitor  rested  upon  an 
even  keel.  As  we  have  said,  she  was  launched,  contrary 
to  the  usual  custom,  with  her  engines  on  board.  These 
had  been  put  in  working  order  beforehand  ;  and  as  far  as 
the  builders  were  concerned,  the  battery  might  have  put 
to  sea  in  half  an  hour  after  her  launch." 

You  may  be  sure  there  was  music  to  Captain  Erics- 
son's ear  in  the  wild,  repeated  cheers  of  the  multitude,  as 
the  monster  glided  so  gracefully,  after  all,  upon  the  bosom 
of  the  deep,  which  was  yet  to  hear  the  monster  speak  with 
thunder  to  echo  round  the  world  ! 

Though  there  will  be  a  little  necessary  repetition  to 


LITE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  181 

get  a  clear  idea  of  the  monitor,  we  will  describe  tlie  ves- 
sel as  she  lies  on  the  tide,  attracting  unnumbered  eyes. 
The  hull  or  body  of  it  is  composed  of  two  separate  parts. 
The  lower  division,  which  rests  on  the  water,  is  124  feet 
long,  34  feet  wide,  and  6  J  feet  deep.  It  is  made  of  iron 
three  eighths  of  an  inch  thick  ;  that  is,  it  is  an  iron  canoe 
on  a  large  scale,  nearly  half  an  inch  thick.  The  upper 
part  is  174  feet  long,  jutting  over  the  other  a  little,  more 
than  41  feet  wide,  and  5  feet  high.  It  is  built  of  oak  2|- 
feet  thick,  covered  on  the  outside  with  six  inches  of  iron 
plates,  and  on  the  inside  lined  with  iron  half  an  inch  in 
thickness,  to  catch  the  siplinters  in  case  a  ball  tears  its  way 
into  the  oak.  The  deck  is  solid  iron-plating,  bomb-proof, 
and  without  any  railing — indeed  almost  bare.  Under  the 
two  layers  of  iron,  each  two  inches  thick,  making 
four  inches  of  metal,  is  plank  eight  inches  in  thickness 
laid  on  beams  of  oak  two  feet  and  two  inches  apart,  ten 
inches  square.  Only  a  foot  and  a  half  of  the  entire  hull 
is  above  water.  Then  the  projecting  edges  of  the  upper 
portion,  resembling  the  eaves  of  a  house,  cover  and  pro- 
tect the  propeller  and  rudder  in  the  stern,  and  the  anchor 
in  the  bow.  The  locomotive  and  steering  apparatus  can- 
not be  reached  by  an  enemy's  shot ;  and  the  anchor  is 
lifted  and  lowered  out  of  sight  and  exposure. 

Now  take  a  look  at  the  castle  or  turret,  where  the 
fighting  is  principally  to  be  done.  It  is  a  circular  apart- 
ment, sixty  feet  around  it,  and  nine  feet  high.     This  is 


182  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

made  of  eight  layers  of  iron,  each  an  inch  thick,  over- 
lapping, and  bolted  together,  and  lined  with  the  same 
metal,  making  in  all  nine  inches  of  iron.  It  weighs  about 
one  hundred  tons,  or  two  millions  of  pounds.  The  cover- 
ing is  of  iron  and  shell-proof,  and  perforated  to  let  in  air. 
It  has  two  large  guns,  which,  when  used,  are  thrown  for- 
ward by  machinery,  putting  their  mouths  out  of  the  port- 
holes, which  are  near  each  other  on  the  same  side.  The 
recoil,  or  shock  of  firing,  sends  them  back  to  their  den 
again,  where  they  are  stopped  by  a  clamp,  in  the  right 
place.  The  castle,  when  not  needed  for  battle,  rests  on  a 
circular  bed  of  composition  metal,  resembling  the  rim  of 
a  large  wheel  lying  flat,  and  made  fast  to  the  deck.  In 
time  of  action,  by  a  powerful  lever  it  is  lifted  upon  a 
shoulder  or  projection  around  an  iron  shaft,  and  turned 
by  the  steam  engine,  which  also  works  the  blowers  of  the 
furnaces  below.  When  the  command  is  given  to  get 
ready  to  fire,  the  iron  shutters  of  the  portholes,  which  slide 
on  the  inside,  fly  open,  the  lever  is  touched,  the  cannons 
look  out  of  the  holes,  speaJc,  and  glide  back  again  for  a 
new  charge  to  the  enemy.  If  the  direction  of  the  foe  is 
changed,  another  lever  is  moved,  and  round  the  turret 
goes  till  the  aim  is  right,  and  once  more  the  thunderefs 
march  up  to  the  windows,  and  utter  their  voices,  sending 
with  fiery  breath  solid  sjoeech  in  behalf  of  peace,  over  the 
deep. 

The  pilot-house,  for  the  helmsman,  is  built  shot-proof 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  183 

like  the  turret,  with  small  openings  for  the  outlook, 
through  which,  if  desirable,  musketry  can  be  fired. 
The  low  chimneys  of  the  steam  engine  can  be  entirely 
removed,  and  the  smoke  escape  through  flat  gratings  on 
the  deck.  The  "  blowers,"  you  know,  fan  the  fires  without 
the  need  of  chimney-draft.  This  makes  a  clear  deck,  and 
so  shut  up  that  if  an  enemy  should  board  the  battery  he 
could  not  get  below — all  he  would  find  would  be  an  iron- 
pavement  and  towers.  The  sharp  iron  prow  is  a  power- 
ful ram  for  crushing  against  and  destroying  an  opposing 
vessel,  if  vulnerable. 

"  Can  a  ship  be  made  which  no  cannon  ball  or  bomb 
shell  can  pierce?"  is  a  question  you  may  ask.  I  will 
give  you  the  opinion  of  those  who  know  all  that  can  be 
known  until  further  experiments  are  tried  : 

"  Whether  any  thickness  of  armor  can  be  absolutely 
impregnable  may  be  a  matter  of  doubt.  There  is  an  old 
paradox  of  the  schoolmen  which  runs  in  this  form  :  '  We 
can  conceive  of  an  irresistible  force,  and  also  of  an  im- 
movable body.  Now  suppose  this  irresistible  force  meets 
that  immovable  body,  what  will  be  the  result  ? '  The  an- 
swer is,  that  the  irresistible  force  will  be  resisted,  and  the 
immovable  body  will  be  moved.  A  question  not  unlike 
this  is  presented  to  artillerists  and  naval  constructors  of 
our  day :  '  Can  a  gun  be  constructed  which  will  send  a 
ball  through  any  armor  that  can  be  made  ?  and  can  an 
armor  be  constructed  which  will  resist  a  ball  from  any 


184  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON". 

possible  gun  ? '  Theoretically,  we  must  answer  both  of 
these  questions  in  the  affirmative,  and  so  give  the  para- 
dox :  '  TV"e  can  make  armor  which  will  resist  any  shot, 
and  can  make  guns  that  wiU  penetrate  any«armor.'  Prac- 
tically— the  vaunted  English  experiments  of  Sir  William 
Armstrong  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding — we  think 
the  advantage  lies  on  the  side  of  the  armor.  We  believe 
that  our  new  Monitors  wiU  be,  for  aU  practical  purposes, 
impregnable.  We  think  the  chances  are  a  hundred  to 
one  that  the  turrets  which  we  have  described  would  not 
be  injured  by  any  gun  yet  constructed  ;  and  that,  if  addi- 
tional strength  should  be  required  to  repel  an  additional 
projectile  force,  the  thickness  of  armor  can  be  increased 
more  easily  than  the  projectile  force.  Theoretically  there 
is  no  limit  to  either.  Practically,  there  is  a  limit  to  both  ; 
and  this,  we  think,  wiU  be  reached  in  the  case  of  the  can- 
non sooner  than  in  that  of  the  armor." 

You  may  live  to  see  the  question  answered  in  the 
progress  of  invention.  When  you  reflect  that  men  are 
living  who  saw  the  first  steamer  on  any  waters,  and  how 
fast  the  world  is  moving,  it  will  make  you  feel  that  the 
world's  Creator  and  Guardian  alone  can  teU  us  the  won- 
ders of  science  to  come. 

The  hand  of  Captain  Ericsson  alone  had  prepared 
nearly  three  thousand  diagrams  and  models  of  the  ship's 
various  parts  in  the  course  of  its  construction.  The  cost 
was  fixed  by  Congress  at  $175,000.    The  next  thing  to 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON.  185 

be  done  for  the  Monitor  was  to  man  her — in  other  words, 
put  on  board  the  officers  and  crew.  Lieutenant  J.  Lorimer 
Worden  was  appointed  commander,  and  Allan  C.  Stim- 
mers,  engineer. 

These  officers,  with  the  necessary  number  of  subor- 
dinates to  manage  the  curious  vessel,  were  ready  to  leave 
the  moorings  on  the  6th  of  March,  1862.  The  gunboats 
Sachem  and  Currituck  were  to  be  the  companions  of  the 
Monitor^  and  tow  her  to  the  ocean-field  of  action. 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

The  Merrimac  leaves  her  Moorings — ^The  Jamestown  and  Torktown — The  Naval 
Eaid — The  Fearful  Struggle — Undying  Heroism— The  Ocean  Scene  of  De- 
struction— The  Closing  Day, 

E  turn  now  to  the  Southern  scene  of  preparation 
for  the  Monitor^  although  the  rebel  actors  there 
did  not  dream  of  such  a  visitor.  I  will  give 
you  a  good  account  of  this  from  the  pen  of  a 
popular  writer,  who  made  himself  familiar  with 
all  the  incidents  of  the  treasonable  work  : 

"  Upon  the  burning  and  evacuation  of  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard,  the  steam  frigate  Merriinac  was  scuttled  and 
sunk  by  order  of  Commodore  McAulay.  This  was  one 
of  the  most  magnificent  ships  in  the  American  navy,  being 
rated  as  a  forty-gun  frigate,  of  4,000  tons  burden.  She 
was  built  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  1856,  and  was  con- 
sidered one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  naval  architecture 
then  afloat.  She  was  281  feet  long,  52  feet  broad,  and 
drew  23  feet  of  water.  Her  engines  were  of  800  horse 
power,  driving  a  two-bladed  propeller,  14  feet  in  diam- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  187 

eter,  and  so  adjusted  as  to  be  raised  from  the  water  when 
the  vessel  was  driven  by  wind  alone.  Her  armament 
consisted  of  twenty-four  nine-inch  shell  guns,  fourteen 
eight-inch,  and  two  one-hundred-pound  pivot  guns. 

"  This  magnificent  structure  was  raised  by  the  rebels 
and  cut  down,  leaving  only  the  hull,  which  was  exceed- 
ingly massive  and  solid.  Over  this  they  constructed  a 
sloping  shield  of  railroad  iron,  firmly  plated  together, 
and  extending  two  feet  under  the  water.  Its  appearance 
was  much  like  the  slanting  roof  of  a  house,  set  upon  a 
ship's  hull,  like  an  extinguisher — the  ends  of  the  vessel, 
fore  and  aft,  projecting  a  few  feet  beyond  this  roof.  The 
gun-deck  was  completely  enclosed  by  this  shield,  and 
nothing  appeared  above  it  but  a  short  smoke-stack  and 
two  flagstaff's.  The  weight  of  iron  was  so  immense  that 
the  ship  nearly  broke  her  back  in  launching ;  but  the 
fracture  was  repaired.  The  fact  that  such  a  formidable 
mailed  battery  was  in  preparation,  was  well  known  at  the 
North,  and  her  speedy  appearance  was  daily  predicted  by 
the  press. 

"  About  noon  of  Saturday,  the  8th  of  March,  1862,  this 
monster  was  seen  coming  around  Craney  Island,  from 
Norfolk,  accompanied  by  two  other  war  vessels,  the 
Jamestown  and  Torktown,  both  formerly  passenger  steam- 
ers, running  between  New  York  and  Richmond,  and 
subsequently  altered  into  rebel  war  steamers.  These 
were  followed  by  quite  a  little  fleet  of  armed  tugs  and 


188  LIFE  OF  JOKNT  ERICSSON. 

war  craft.  The  monster  Merrimac,  with  her  imposing 
retinue  in  train,  headed  for  Newport  News,  where  there 
was  a  national  garrison,  guarded  by  the  sailing  frigates, 
the  Cumherland,  of  1,726  tons,  and  the  Congress,  of 
1,867  tons  burden.  Both  of  these  fine  frigates  were  at 
anchor  within  half  a  mile  of  the  shore  battery.  The 
crew  of  the  Congress  had  recently  been  discharged,  and 
three  companies  of  the  naval  brigade  were  manning  her 
temporarily,  until  she  could  be  relieved  by  the  St.  Law- 
rence, which  was  then  at  anchor  in  the  Eoads.  As  both 
the  Congress  and  the  Cuniberland  were  merely  sailing 
vessels,  they  were  much  at  the  mercy  of  their  steam  op- 
ponents. 

"  The  Merrimac  steamed  majestically  along,  as  if  con- 
scious of  resistless  strength,  and,  as  she  passed  the  Con- 
gress, discharged  a  single  broadside  into  the  doomed  ship, 
and  then  leaving  her  to  the  attention  of  the  Jamestown  and 
YorJctown,  made  directly  for  the  Cumherland.  When  the 
Merrimac  was  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  two  frigates, 
they  both  discharged  their  tremendous  broadsides  against 
her  armor.  The  mailed  monster  quivered  a  moment 
under  the  fearful  concussion,  but  every  ball  glanced  from 
her  sloping  shield,  like  the  wooden  arrows  of  the  Indian 
from  the  hide  of  the  crocodile.  Her  ports  were  all  closed. 
Not  deigning  to  pay  any  attention  to  the  fierce  but  harm- 
less assault  of  the  two  frigates,  she  rushed  straight  for- 
ward upon  her  prey. 


LIFE   OF  JOHN  EEICSSOIT.  189 

"  The  formidable  national  battery  at  Newport  News 
opened  with  all  its  massive  guns,  at  point-blank  range,  and 
these  solid  shot  and  shells  also  glanced  harmlessly  away. 
On  rushed  the  silent  Merrimac,  with  not  a  soul  on  board 
to  be  seen,  true  as  an  arrow,  and,  with  all  the  power  of  her 
irresistible  weight,  plunged  headlong,  with  a  fearful  crash, 
into  the  side  of  the  helpless  frigate.  The  iron  prow  of  the 
assailant  struck  the  Cumberland  amidships,  crushing  in 
her  side  with  a  mortal  gash.  Then,  reversing  her  en- 
gine, and  not  even  annoyed  by  the  cannon  balls  rattling 
against  her  impervious  mail,  she  retraced  her  steps  a  few 
rods  for  another  butt.  As  she  drew  back  she  turned  her 
broadside  to  the  wounded  victim,  and  hurled  into  her 
bosom  a  merciless  volley  of  shot  and  shells.  It  was  a 
terrible  discharge  from  hundred-pound  Armstrong  guns, 
every  shot  of  which,  at  that  distance,  would  have  pierced 
the  armor  of  the  Warrior,  of  England,  or  the  La  Gloire, 
of  France.  The  ponderous  missiles  tore  through  the 
crowded  ship,  hurling  her  massive  guns  about  her  decks, 
and  scattering  mutilated  bodies  in  all  directions.  Again 
gathering  headway,  she  crowded  on  all  steam  and  made 
another  plunge  at  the  Cumberland.  She  struck  directly 
upon  the  former  wound,  and  crushed  in  the  whole  massive 
oaken  side  of  the  ship,  as  if  it  had  been  a  lattice- work  of 
laths.  Timbers  as  strong  as  nature  and  art  could  make 
them,  were  snapped  and  crushed  like  dry  twigs.  But 
the  Cumberland,  though  overcome,  though  helpless  as  a 


190  LIFE   or  JOHN   ESICSSOK". 

babe  in  a  giant's  arms,  was  not  vanqnished.  Bravely  her 
heroic  crew,  under  the  comihand  of  Lieutenant  George 
M.  Morris,  fought  as  against  fate  itself.  No  gun  was 
silent  that  could  speak.  With  courage  and  coolness  un- 
precedented, they  took  the  most  careful  aim,  attempting 
to  penetrate  the  portholes,  the  only  vulnerable  point  of 
their  terrible  adversary.  The  smoke-stack  of  the  Merri- 
mac  was  riddled  with  their  shot ;  the  flag-staff  shot  away, 
and  her  anchor  bent  as  if  it  had  been  moulded  from  lead, 
but  the  iron-cased  battery  scarcely  showed  a  scratch.  The 
crew  of  the  Cumberland  seemed  inspired  with  a  super- 
natural desperation.  When  all  hope  was  gone,  they  still 
with  one  voice  vowed  that  they  would  never  surrender 
the  Cumberland  to  the  rebels,  and  heroically  their  guns 
reiterated  the  vow,  as  the  ship  settled  deeper  and  deeper 
in  the  engulfing  wave.  From  lip  to  lip  the  cry  passed 
along  the  deck,  '  The  ship  is  sinking.'  Yet  not  a  man 
left  his  gun  ;  not  a  white  flag  was  waved  ;  no  hand  moved 
to  draw  down  our  national  banner  before  the  detested 
rebel  flag,  terrible  as  was  the  power  which  rebellion  now 
developed.  Not  a  man  turned  his  eye  toward  the  life- 
boats for  escape.  One  sentiment  glowed  in  every  heart : 
'  Honor  the  flag.'  One  sentiment  burst  from  the  lips  of 
aU,  even  from  those  who  were  strewed  in  mutilation  over 
the  decks — their  life-blood  fast  ebbing — and  that  utterance 
was  :  '  We  will  never  surrender ! '  Heroic  men  !  greater 
in  defeat  than  you  could  possibly  have  been  in  victory. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  191 

"  Rapidly  the  ship  settled  in  the  waves.  The  water 
began  to  swash  over  the  upper  deck,  and  still  every  un- 
submerged  gun  was  hurling  defiance  at  the  foe.  The  ship 
careened  upon  one  side.  The  last  gunner,  knee-deep  in 
water,  pulled  the  trigger  of  the  last  gun,  and  the  dying 
words  of  the  Cumberland  were  uttered.  There  was  a 
whirl,  a  plunge,  a  boiling  cauldron  of  air-bursting  billows, 
and  the  majestic  frigate,  with  all  her  dead  and  all  her 
wounded,  sank  like  lead.  A  few  feet  of  her  topmasts  rose 
above  the  wave,  and  there  the  '  Stars  and  Stripes  still 
floated,  victorious  in  death.' " 

The  following  list  of  officers  is  the  Gumherland's  "  roll 
of  honor,"  names  of  men  who  have  no  superiors  on  war's 
historic  page,  in  that  martial  bravery  which  inspires  the 
less  conspicuous  heroes  in  the  ranks  :  Commander,  Lieu- 
tenant George  M.  Morris  ;  Lieutenant  and  executive  offi- 
cer, H.  V.  Davenport ;  Lieutenant,  T.  O.  Selfriades  ;  Sur- 
geon, S.  Jackson ;  Assistant  Surgeon,  W.  W.  Leavitt ; 
Paymaster,  C.  Burt ;  Chaplain,  J.  Lenhart ;  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  Marines,  C.  Hayward ;  Boatswain,  E.  B.  Beal ; 
Gunner,  G.  Mack ;  Carpenter,  W.  M.  Leighton ;  Sail- 
maker,  D.  Bruce.  These  defenders  of  the  national  en- 
sign, like  Lawrence,  if  they  did  not  shout  in  death,  "  Don't 
sm-render  the  ship  ! "  acted  out  the  sentiment  with  equal 
gallantry  till  that  banner  fluttered  over  the  good  ship's 
watery  grave.  *Not  alone  went  down  that  shattered  ves- 
sel.    Upon  and  between  her  decks  were  the  gory  and 


192  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOlir. 

ghastly  dead,  unlieeding  the  tragedy.  Their  coffin  was 
the  noble  Cumberland^  and  their  sepulchre  the  sea  they 
loved,  and  which  had  upborne  the  theatre  of  their  valor. 
But  around  the  calm  sleepers  were  scores  of  torn  warriors, 
whose  life  remained  in  the  grasp  of  suffering— the  red 
current  ebbing,  and  yet  they  uncomplaining.  The  dead  and 
wounded  numbered  nearly  a  hundred,  all  beneath  the 
tide,  which  soon  quenched  the  flickering  light  of  life. 
Around  that  signalled  burial  were  adrift  hundreds  of  sea- 
m.en,  many  of  them  stained  with  their  own  blood.  Crim- 
soned fragments  of  the  wreck  were  mingled  with  these 
forms  of  life.  But  look  toward  the  shores,  and  watch  the 
boats  darting  from  all  points  over  the  waters  to  rescue  the 
imperilled  throng. 

Meanwhile  there  is  another  scene  of  fearless  daring 
and  noble  sympathy,  which  casts  beautiful  light  upon  the 
gloomy  aspect  of  war.  The  propeller  Whillden,  which 
had  been  moored  under  the  guns  of  Newport  News,  half 
a  mile  distant,  starts  the  iron  paddles  and  pushes  into  the 
range  of  the  enemy's  fire,  either  to  save  some  of  the 
crew  or  go  down  beneath  the  heavy  shot.  Without 
a  fear  or  care  beyond  his  mission  of  mercy,  Captain  "Wil- 
liam Riggins  steers  directly  for  the  struggling  multitude. 
The  foe  seemed  to  recoil  from  assailing  the  messenger  of 
humanity  in  his  power,  and  not  until  the  last  man  is 
picked  up  and  taken  on  board^did  he  venture  to  express 
his  hate.     Then  a  single  ball  from  the  Merrimac  pierces 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICSSON.  193 

her  boiler,  and  she  is  left  to  regain  the  harbor,  crippled 
but  not  destroyed.  The  deadly  and  complete  work  of  the 
mailed  giant  has  occupied  only  forty-five  minutes. 

The  exultant  enemy's  next  target  for  the  hot  ordnance 
was  the  Congress.  The  crew  was  incomplete,  and  the 
hopelessness  of  encounter,  together  with  that  consider- 
ation, led  the  commander  to  attempt  an  escape.  Sails 
were  spread,  and  the  grand  representative  of  the  navy  of 
the  past  moved  rapidly  over  the  tide.  There  was  a  pros- 
pect of  keeping  out  of  the  Merrimac's  way,  for  she  could 
no  more  stand  before  her  solid  prow  and  protected  guns, 
than  a  summer  dwelling  could  resist  the  "  artillery  of 
beaven."  The  thunder-cloud's  bolts  would  no  more  cer- 
tainly pierce  and  burn,  than  the  cannon-shot  of  the  rebel 
steamer,  if  once  within  reach  of  the  Congress.  A  few 
moments  only  did  the  proud  ship  walk  the  waters.  She 
struck  a  sand-bar,  and  the  sails  idly  hung  around  her 
masts.  The  gunboats  Jamestown  and  Torktown,  which 
steamed  around  the  arena  of  conflict,  to  open  fire  when- 
ever it  promised  success,  approached  the  Congress  and 
opened  their  guns  upon  the  frigate.  The  man-of-war  re- 
plied with  broadsides,  which  compelled  the  assailants  to 
retire  tiU  the  Merrimac  could  come  to  their  help.  They 
did  not  wait  long.  The  champion  of  treason  defied  the  navy 
of  the  Republic.  The  Congress  hurled  her  shot  from  the 
flaming  lines  of  port-holes  in  vain.  The  challenging  foe 
chose  deliberately  the  position  most  favorable,  regardless 


194  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

of  the  ponderous  hail.  When  ready  for  the  contest,  with 
the  voice  of  thunder  the  Merrimac  poured  shot  and  shell 
upon  the  Congress^  in  a  storm  which  paused  not  for  the 
harmless  rattle  of  balls  upon  an  unyielding  coat  of  mail. 
The  gunboats,  emboldened  by  the  damaging  fire  of  the 
leader  in  the  conflict,  rushed  upon  the  foe,  the  more  will- 
ing to  join  in  the  fierce  onset  because  of  the  first  repulse. 
They  came  up  on  different  quarters,  and  with  other  rebel 
ships  fairly  piled  the  red-hot  missiles  of  destruction  upon 
the  frigate's  deck.  Crash,  crash  went  these  metallic 
globes  through  mast,  sides,  and  deck,  and  through  ranks 
of  brave  men.  Limbs  and  flesh  were  carried  away,  until 
the  shattered  planks  ran  blood,  and  fragments  of  palpita- 
ting, dying  men  lay  on  every  side.  The  heavy  cannon 
were  lifted  from  their  carriages  and  rolled  among  the 
slain  gunners.  Then  rose  from  three  different  parts  of 
the  vessel  tongues  of  flame.  The  frigate  was  on  fire  ! 
The  rising  wind  fell  on  the  centres  of  ruin,  and  upward 
flashed  in  grand  and  awful  columns  the  devouring  ele- 
ment. The  dry  wood  of  the  ship's  frame  was  tinder 
for  the  conflagration,  which  in  a  brief  time  swept  over  the 
entire  circle  of  death.  Still  the  Star-spangled  Banner 
was  kept  flying.  But  when  the  flames  began  to  lay  their 
burning  fingers  on  the  wounded,  who  were  compelled  to 
answer  to  the  touch  with  a  groan,  then  the  uninjured  sur- 
vivors could  no  longer  bear  the  sight.  They  looked  up  to 
the  old  flag,  and  down  upon  their  comrades,  while  tears  fell 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  195 

on  the  heated  deck.  To  burn  alive  the  helpless  and  bleed- 
ing was  more  than  theii-  stout  hearts  could  let  the  fires  kin- 
dled by  rebel  cannon  do,  even  under  the  country's  banner. 
The  colors  were  struck.  Then  a  tugboat  from  the  ene- 
my's fleet  was  sent  to  rescue  the  prisoners  from  the  red 
billows,  more  dreadful  than  those  amid  which  the  noble 
frigate  had  wrestled  victoriously.  Our  sharpshooters 
sent  Minnie  bullets  whistling  among  the  crews  which 
manned  the  ships  of  treason.  This  maddened  the  foe,' 
and  to  avenge  the  injury  the  Merrimac  poured  an- 
other volley  into  the  Congress,  dealing  death  on  every 
hand.  The  barbarity  of  the  deed  is  apparent.  The 
white  flag  streamed  from  the  mast,  and  an  officer  waived 
his  white  handkerchief  from  her  crimson  and  flame- 
wrapped  deck.  The  officers  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
traitors,  and  the  rest  of  the  ship's  crew  reached  the  shore 
in  their  boats.  The  abandoned  man-of-war  was  a  pyramid 
of  flame. 

Leaving  it  the  Merrimac  turned  her  prow  toward 
the  St.  Lawrence  and  Minnesota.  These  frigates,  too, 
were  fast  in  the  ocean-sands,  and  at  the  mercy  of  the  an- 
tagonist, hastening  to  the  prey.  Quite  reckless  of  expos- 
ure, and  sure  of  easy  conquest,  the  monster  went  near  the 
helpless  men-of-war  before  firing  a  gun.  The  Minnesota 
opened  her  large  guns  upon  the  daring  Merrimac.  The 
impetuous  charge  upon  the  iron-clad  so  close  upon  her,  told 
upon  the  triumphant  invader.     There  was  a  pause,  an 


196  LITE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

appearance  of  trouble  in  the  craft.  Whether  or  not 
through  the  port-holes  balls  found  their  way,  doing 
damage,  we  cannot  tell.  The  sun  was  sinking  and  the 
Union  ships  were  fast.  So  the  rebel  champion  decided 
to  rest,  and  make  a  morning  pastime  of  finishing  the  frig- 
ates. Proudly  retiring  from  the  battle  plain  the  Merri- 
mac  steamed  back  to  moorings  behind  Craney  Island. 
We  can  imagine  the  congratulations  which  passed  from 
lip  to  lip  in  that  dark  ship,  and  the  vain-glorious  boast  of 
the  next  day's  achievements.  Meanwhile  the  Congress 
burned  on,  the  crackling  pile  contracting  in  the  embrace 
of  the  devouring  element.  The  night  darkened  around  it, 
giving  awful  sublimity  to  the  scene.  The  beacon  light  of 
heroism,  and  at  the  same  time  the  torch  of  civil  war,  cast 
its  ruddy  glow  upon  charred  and  floating  timbers,  the 
blood-tinged  waters,  and  the  silent  but  impatient  foe, 
waiting  for  the  dawn  to  renew  the  combat.  At  mid- 
night the  fire  reached  the  magazine.  Then  a  volcanic 
burst  of  fiery  fragments  of  the  frigate's  hull,  a  sound  of 
earthquake-thunder,  and  the  air  was  filled  with  a  shower 
of  brands  and  furnace  sparks,  falling  upon  the  ocean's 
surging  breast.  Oh  !  what  a  scene  for  loyal  eyes  !  What 
a  darkness  was  that  which  followed  the  last  flame  which 
went  out  in  the  waters  !  Every  Union  heart  in  that  fleet 
and  in  the  fortress  of  Hampton  Roads  throbbed  with  de- 
spair. There  was  no  gleam  of  hope.  The  Merrimac  was 
impervious  to  balls,  and  could  go  where  she  pleased.     In 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  EEICSSON.  197 

the  morning  it  would  be  easy  work  to  destroy  our  whole 
fleet.  She  could  then  shell  Newport  News  and  Fortress 
Monroe  at  her  leisure,  setting  every  thing  combustible  in 
flames,  and  driving  every  man  from  the  guns. 

"As  the  news  of  the  terrible  disaster  was  flashed 
over  the  country  by  the  telegraphic  wires,  all  faces 
wore  the  expression  of  consternation.  At  Washington 
Congress  was  in  session.  The  panic  cannot  be  de- 
scribed. There  was  really  nothing  to  prevent  the  Mer- 
rimac  from  ascending  the  Potomac  and  laying  the  Cap- 
ital in  ashes,  providing  there  was  depth  of  water  to  float 
the  steamer,  and  no  one  knew  whether  there  was  this 
depth  or  not,  for  no  one  knew  the  draft  of  the  Merri- 
mac.  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston,  and 
Portland,  were  in  a  state  of  terror.  The  Merrimac  could 
laugh  at  forts. 

The  experiment  of  an  hour  had  wrought  an  entire 
change  in  naval  architecture  and  in  defensive  fortifica- 
tions throughout  the  world.  Wooden  frigates  had  almost 
ceased  to  be  of  any  value.  The  blow  which  had  struck 
the  Cumherland  demolished  also  the  fleets  of  England  and 
France.  All  navies  went  down  with  that  frigate  in  the 
abyss  together.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  such  a 
night  of  anxiety,  of  terror,  of  bewilderment,  as  followed 
the  triumphant  return  of  the  Merrimac  to  her  anchorage 
behind  Craney  Island,  this  world  has  seldom  witnessed 
before. 


l\)b  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ESICSSOI^. 

There  is  no  explanation  of  the  mystery  of  our  naval 
condition.  Part  of  the  ships  were  aground,  and  in  spite 
of  warnings  that  danger  was  lurking  in  rebel  waters,  we 
were  unprepared  for  the  onset,  which  well-nigh  laid  our 
navy  at  the  feet  of  Jefferson  Davis. 

The  poet  Boker  has  a  ballad  on  the  Cumberland,  of 
stirring  interest : 

ON  BOAED  THE  CHMBEELAKD,  MAECH  7th,  1862. 

"  Stand  to  your  guns,  men ! "  Morris  cried. 

Small  need  to  pass  the  word ; 
Our  men  at  quarters  ranged  themselves 

Before  the  drvim  was  heard. 

And  then  began  the  sailors'  jests  : 

"  What  thing  is  that,  I  say  ?  " 
"  A  'long-shore  meeting-house  adrift 

Is  standing  down  the  bay ! " 

A  frown  came  over  Morris's  face ; 

The  strange,  dark  craft  he  knew ; 
"  That  is  the  iron  MerrimaCj 

Manned  by  a  rebel  crew. 

"So  shot  your  guns,  and  point  them  straight ; 

Before  this  day  goes  by, 
We'll  try  of  what  her  metal's  made." 

A  cheer  was  our  reply. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  199 

"  Remember,  boys,  this  flag  of  ours 

Has  seldom  left  its  place; 
And  when  it  falls,  the  deck  it  strikes 

Is  covered  with  disgrace. 

"  I  ask  but  this,  or  sink  or  swim, 

Or  hve,  or  nobly  die, 
My  last  sight  upon  earth  may  be 

To  see  that  ensign  fly ! " 

Meanwhile  the  shapeless  iron  mass 

Came  moving  o'er  the  wave, 
As  gloomy  as  a  passing  hearse. 

As  silent  as  the  grave. 

Her  ports  were  closed,  from  stem  to  stem 

No  sign  of  life  appeared. 
We  wondered,  questioned,  stramed  our  eyes, 

Joked — every  thing  but  feared. 

She  reached  our  range.     Our  broadside  rang, 

Our  heavy  pivots  roared, 
And  shot  and  shell,  a  fire  of  hell. 

Against  her  sides  we  poured. 

God's  mercy !  from  her  sloping  roof 

The  iron  tempest  glanced. 
As  hail  bounds  from  a  cottage  thatch, 

And  round  her  leaped  and  danced. 

Or  when  against  her  dusky  hull 
We  struck  a  fair,  fuU  blow. 


200  LIFE  OF  JOHN  EEICSSON. 

The  mighty,  solid  iron  globes, 
Were  crumbled  up  like  snow. 

On — on — ^with  fast-increasing  speed 

The  silent  monster  came ; 
Though  all  our  starboard  battery 

Was  one  long  line  of  flame, 

She  heeded  not,  no  gun  she  fired, 
Straight  on  our  bow  she  bore ; 

Through  riving  plank  and  crushing  frame 
Her  ftuious  way  she  tore. 

Alas !  our  beautiful  trim  bow, 

That  in  the  fiercest  blast 
So  gently  folded  back  the  seas, 

They  hardly  felt  we  passed. 

Alas  !  alas !  my  Cumherland^ 
That  ne'er  knew  grief  before, 

To  be  so  bored,  to  feel  so  deep, 
The  tusk  of  that  sea-boar ! 

Once  more  she  backward  drew  a  space, 
Once  more  our  side  she  rent ; 

Then,  in  the  wantonness  of  hate, 
Her  broadside  through  us  sent 

The  dead  and  dying  round  us  lay, 
But  our  foemen  lay  abeam ; 

Her  open  port-holes  maddened  us ; 
We  fired  with  shout  and  scream. 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON.  201 

We  felt  our  vessel  settling  fast, 

We  knew  our  time  was  brief: 
"  The  pumps,  the  pumps !  "   But  they  who  pumped, 

And  fought  not,  wept  with  grief. 

"  Oh !  keep  us  but  an  hour  afloat ! 

Oh !  give  us  only  time 
To  be  the  instruments  of  Heaven 

Agaiust  the  traitors'  crime  ! " 

From  captain  down  to  powder-boy 

No  hand  was  idle  then ; 
Two  soldiers,  but  by  chance  aboard, 

Fought  on  like  sailor  men. 

And  when  a  gun's  crew  lost  a  hand. 

Some  bold  marine  stepped  out, 
And  jerked  his  braided  jacket  off. 

And  hauled  the  guns  about. 

Our  forward  magazine  was  drowned ; 

And  up  from  the  sick  bay 
Crawled  out  the  wounded,  red  with  blood, 

And  round  us  gaspiug  lay. 

Yes,  cheering,  calling  us  by  name. 

Struggling  with  failing  breath. 
To  keep  their  shipmates  at  the  post 

Where  glory  strove  with  death. 

With  decks  afloat,  and  powder  gone. 
The  last  broadside  we  gave 
9* 


202  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

From  the  guns'  heated  iron  lips 
Burst  out  beneath  the  wave. 

So  sponges,  rammers,  and  handspikes — 

As  men-of-war' s-men  should- ■- 
"We  placed  within  their  proper  racks, 

And  at  our  quarters  stood. 

"  Up  to  the  spar-deck !  save  yourselves ! " 
Cried  Selfridge.     "  Up,  my  men  ! 

God  grant  that  some  of  us  may  live 
To  fight  yon  ship  again  ! " 

We  turned — ^we  did  not  like  to  go ; 

Yet  staying  seemed  but  vain, 
Knee-deep  in  water ;  so  we  left ; 

Some  swore,  some  groaned  with  pain. 

We  reached  the  deck.     There  Randall  stood; 

"  Another  turn,  men — so  ! " 
Calmly  he  aimed  his  pivot  gun ; 

"  Now,  Tenny,  let  her  go ! " 

It  did  our  sore  hearts  good  to  hear 

The  song  our  pivot  sang, 
As  rushing  on  from  wave  to  wave 

The  whirring  bomb-shell  sprang. 

Brave  Randall  leaped  upon  the  gun, 

And  waved  his  cap  in  sport : 
"  Well  done  !  well  aimed  !     I  saw  that  shell 

Go  through  an  open  port." 


LITE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON".  203 

It  was  our  last,  our  deadliest  shot ; 

The  deck  was  overflown  ; 
The  poor  ship  staggered,  lurched  to  port, 

And  gave  a  living  groan. 

Down,  down,  as  headlong  through  the  waves 

Our  gallant  vessel  rushed, 
A  thousand  gurgling  watery  sounds 

Around  my  senses  gushed. 

Then  I  remember  little  more. 

One  look  to  heaven  I  gave. 
Where,  like  an  angel's  wing,  I  saw 

Our  spotless  ensign  wave. 

I  tried  to  cheer.     I  cannot  say 

Whether  I  swam  or  sank ; 
A  blue  mist  closed  around  my  eyes. 

And  every  thing  was  blank. 

When  I  awoke,  a  soldier  lad. 

All  dripping  from  the  sea,  .   • 

With  two  great  tears  upon  his  cheeks, 

Was  bending  over  me. 

I  tried  to  speak.    He  understood 

The  wish  I  could  not  speak. 
He  turned  me.     There,  thank  God  !  the  flag 

Still  fluttered  at  the  peak ! 

And  there,  while  thread  shall  hang  to  thread, 
Oh  let  that  ensign  fly ! 


204  LIFE  OF  JOHN  EKICSSON. 

The  noblest  constellation  set 
Against  our  northern  sky. 

A  sign  that  we  who  live  may  claim 
The  peerage  of  the  brave ; 

A  monmnent,  that  needs  no  scroll, 
For  those  beneath  the  wave ! 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  Monitor's  Voyage— The  Night  Glimpse  of  Her  arrival  by  the  AnxiotifeGar- 
risoD — Tbfi  Impressions  of  an  Eye-witness — The  Morning  Scenes— The  Awful 
Interest  felt  in  the  Battery— The  Wonderful  Providence— The  Sabbath— The 
Coi]>bat. 

)HE  first  day,  Thursday,  March  6th,  was  bright 
and  calm  on  the  deep.  The  Monitor^  a  little 
castle  resting  on  an  iron  base  running  to  a  point 
at  each  end,  cut  her  way  through  the  waters  as 
if  she  and  old  Ocean  were  familiar  friends.  She 
seemed  entirely  at  home.  You  cannot  imagine  the  deep 
interest  with  which  the  commander  and  engineers  watched 
her  motions.  They  paced  that  metallic  deck,  observing 
with  care  the  sailing  qualities  of  the  plain  republican 
craft,  whose  destined  and  immortal  part  in  the  national 
conflict  had  no  prophet — for  none  knew  her  worth  or 
future. 

Friday  dawned,  and  soon  the  wind  began  to  lift  the 
waves.  With  the  increasing  gale  the  billows  rushed  wild- 
ly over  the  blue  domain  of  fabled  Neptune.  And  now 
comes  a  new  and  severer  trial  of  the  Monitor — her  first 


206  LIFE   or  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

battle,  but  not  with  man's  weapons  of  warfare.  Only 
two  feet  of  iron  separated  tbe  deck  from  the  sea  when 
tranquil.  See  the  mad  surges  come  crested  with  foam, 
and  meeting  the  low  barrier,  bury  it  in  a  moment,  and 
sweep  over  every  thing  but  the  turret !  Even  that  drips 
with  the  angry  baptism  of  the  storm.  But  the  waves  re- 
tire for  an  instant,  revealing  the  flooded  and  unharmed 
Monitor^  riding  the  turbulent  main.  There  is,  however, 
a  single  defect,  which  awakens  some  anxiety.  The  caulk- 
ing of  a  portion  of  the  deck  was  imperfect,  and  the  water 
filters  through  into  the  berth  deck  and  engine  room.  The 
hours  pass,  and  another  trouble  interrupts  the  comfort 
and  darkens  the  prospects  of  the  voyage.  The  strap 
which  moved  the  wheel  that  turned  the  hlovjers,  whose 
fans  both  ventilated  the  vessel  and  kept  the  furnaces 
burning,  broke.  Then  the  coal  gas  rushed  into  the  en- 
gine room,  and  nearly  suffocated  the  engineers,  Stimmers 
and  Newton,  and  six  others.  Soon,  however,  the  injury 
was  repaired,  and  the  hum  of  the  blowers  cleared  the  sub- 
terranean or  suhferranean  apartment,  and  kindled  afresh 
the  fires. 

On  Saturday  the  Monitor  approached  Fortress  Mon- 
roe. The  unsleeping  garrison  of  that  fortress,  as  the 
ten-o'clock  beU  struck,  discerned  in  the  darkness  and  dis- 
tance two  ships  moving  toward  it.  A  little  later  a  third 
was  seen  between  them  with  a  spectral  appearance — so 
unlike  any  thing  before  on  the  deep. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICSSON.  207 

Oil !  how  they  strained  the  vision  to  read  some  token 
of  deliverance  in  that  small  iQieet. 

"  It  is  the  Monitor  /"  flies  from  lip  to  lip. 

"  But  what  can  she  do  ! "  is  the  great  unanswered  ques- 
tion. Impressively  wrote  an  eye-witness  of  this  moment- 
oi;s  crisis : 

"  That  morrow !  How  anxiously  we  waited  for  it ! 
How  much  we  feared  its  results !  How  anxious  our 
Saturday  eve  of  preparation!  At  sundown  there  was 
nothing  to  dispute  the  empire  of  the  seas  with  the  Merri- 
mac ;  and  had  a  land  attack  been  made  by  Magruder 
then,  God  only  knows  what  our  fate  would  have  been. 
The  St.  Lawrence  and  the  Minnesota  aground  and  helpless, 
the  Boanohe  with  a  broken  shaft,  these  were  our  defences 
by  sea  ;  while  on  land  we  were  doing  all  that  was  possible 
to  resist  a  night  invasion  ;  but  who  could  hope  that  would 
have  much  efficiency  !  Oh  !  what  a  night  that  was  ;  that 
night  I  can  never  forget.  There  was  no  fear  during  its 
long  hours — danger,  I  find,  does  not  bring  that — ^but  there 
was  a  longing  for  some  interposition  of  God,  and  waiting 
upon  Him,  from  whom  we  felt  our  help  must  come,  in 
earnest,  fervent  prayer,  while  not  neglecting  the  means 
of  martial  defence  He  had  placed  in  our  hands.  Fugi- 
tives from  Newport  News  kept  arriving  ;  ladies  and  chil- 
dren had  walked  the  long  ten  miles  from  Newport  News, 
feeling  that  their  presence  only  embarrassed  their  brave 
husbands.     Sailors  from  the   Congress  and   Gumherland 


208  LIFE  OF  JOH]S-  EEICSSON. 

came,  one  of  them  with  his  ship's  flag  bound  about  his 
waist,  as  he  swam  with  it  ashore,  determined  that  the 
enemy  should  never  trail  it  in  dishonor  as  a  trophy. 
Dusky  fugitives,  the  contrabands  came,  moumfiilly  fleeing 
from  a  fate  worse  than  death — slavery.  These  entered 
my  cabin  hungry  and  weary,  or  passed  it  in  long,  sad 
processions.  The  heavens  were  aflame  with  the  burning 
Congress.  The  hotel  was  crowded  with  fugitives,  and 
private  hospitality  was  taxed  to  the  utmost.  But  there 
were  no  soldiers  among  the  flying  host ;  all  in  our  camps 
at  Newport  News  and  Camp  Hamilton  were  at  the  post 
of  duty,  undismayed,  and  ready  to  do  all  and  dare  aU  for 
their  country.  The  sailors  came  only  to  seek  another 
chance  at  the  enemy,  since  the  bold  Cumherland  had  gone 
down  in  the  deep  waters,  and  the  Congress  had  gone  up- 
ward, as  if  a  chariot  of  fire,  to  convey  the  manly  souls 
whose  bodies  had  perished  in  that  conflict,  upward  to 
heaven.  I  had  lost  several  friends  there,  yet  not  lost,  for 
they  are  saved  who  do  their  duty  to  their  country  and 
their  God.     "We  did  not  pray  in  vain — 

'  The  heavy  night  hung  dark  the  hills  and  waters  o'er,' 

but  the  night  was  not  half  so  heavy  as  our  hearts,  nor  so 
dark  as  our  prospects.  All  at  once  a  speck  of  light 
gleamed  on  the  distant  wave ;  it  moved,  it  came  nearer 
an^i  nearer,  and  at  ten  o'clock  at  night  the  Monitor  ap- 
peared.    '  When  the  tale  of  brick  is  doubled,  Moses 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  209 

comes.'  I  never  more  firmly  believed  in  special  provi- 
dences than  at  that  hour.  Even  skeptics  for  the  moment 
were  converted,  and  said,  '  God  sent  her  ! '  But  how  in- 
significant she  looked ;  she  was  but  a  speck  on  the  dark 
blue  sea  at  night,  almost  a  laughable  object  by  day.  The 
enemy  call  her  '  a  cheese  box  on  a  raft,'  and  the  compari- 
son is  a  good  one.  Could  she  meet  the  Merrimac  ?  The 
m.orrow  must  determine,  for,  under  God,  the  Monitor  is 
our  only  hope," 

Who  can  doubt  the  kind  interposition  of  Him,  who,  by 
the  gracious  lips  of  our  Redeemer  declared,  "  Not  a  spar- 
row falls  to  the  ground  without  His  notice,"  and  by  Him 
"  the  hairs  of  our  head  are  numbered" — the  God  of  our 
fathers. 

The  commander  of  the  Monitor^  Lieutenant  J.  L. 
Worden,  reported  for  duty  to  the  Roanohe.  He  was  not 
unknown  in  the  nation's  conflict.  When  Fort  Pickens 
was  threatened,  he  found  his  way  through  rebel  territory, 
conveying  despatches  for  reenforcements.  He  was  a  hero, 
ready  for  any  adventure  in  behalf  of  the  Republic.  He 
received  orders  to  lay  beside  the  Minnesota^  prepared  to  try 
her  metal  on  the  defensive,  should  the  Merrimac  make  a 
night  attack. 

My  reader,  think  of  this  scene  and  the  crisis  in  our 
history.  Just  out  of  sight  lay  the  dread  naval  Goliah,  re- 
joicing in  the  anticipation  of  the  havoc  a  new  day — the 
Sahhath  day — would  bring.     Trembling  with  just  alarm, 


210  LITE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSOIST. 

amid  the  dying  embers  of  the  Congress,  our  remaining 
crews  kept  their  watch.  All  hope  of  escape  was  centred 
in  that  strange  little  craft.  David  coming  to  hurl  back 
treason's  proud  defiance,  is  the  symbol  naturally  suggested 
to  the  mind. 

Who  was  the  father  of  that  small  and  almost  con- 
temptible bark? 

It  came  from  the  teeming  brain  of  a  Swede,  who  had 
turned  from  English  scorn  and  French  indifference,  to 
American  hospitality  and  appreciation  of  inventive  genius. 

Even  here,  his  success  in  this  last  creation  of  his  skill 
was  doubted.  Private  enterprise  and  not  the  Government 
had,  in  reality,  secured  its  construction.  No  man  living 
knew  what  the  nondescrijpt  could  do  or  hear.  Two  port- 
holes were  visible  on  one  side  of  an  iron  circular  eleva- 
tion upon  the  raft,  while  ten  of  these  grim  mouths  could 
speak  from  the  sides  of  the  Merrimac. 

But  this  is  Grod's  method  of  sending  deliverance ;  in 
an  unexpected  and  quiet  way,  that  the  praise  and  glory 
may  be  His. 

March  9th  dawned  upon  the  waters,  and  on  the  two 
combatants,  whose  smoke  curled  upward  on  the  vernal 
air  of  a  cloudless  sky.  The  bloom  and  fragrance  of  a 
southern  clime  bordered  the  sea.  The  eyes  of  patriotic 
warriors  were  fixed  upon  the  horizon  in  whose  golden, 
sacred  light,  the  rebel  war  ships  lay.  At  length  signs  of 
preparation  to  renew  tlie  attack  are  discerned  in  the  dis- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  211 

tance.  Oh,  then,  what  cheerful  activity  on  board  the.  un- 
tried Monitor  I  Down  go  the  hatches,  deadlight  covers 
are  drawn  over  the  vulnerable  outlooks,  and  the  iron 
pavement  swept  of  every  thing  but  the  castle  and  pilot 
house. 

The  command  for  every  man  to  be  at  his  post  is 
promptly  obeyed.  Then  the  battery  goes  to  meet  the 
terrible  Merrimac^  a  silent,  dark,  turreted  prison,  just 
above  the  water's  flashing  mirror.  The  rebel  iron-clad 
looks  like  an  ice-house  as  you  have  seen  it,  the  roof  slop- 
ing down  nearly  to  the  ground,  leaving  only  narrow  sides 
above  the  earth.  The  Jamestown  and  Yorhtown  again 
escort  her  to  the  pastime  of  destroying  what  was  left  of 
our  naval  force.  Tugboats  foUow  in  the  wake,  crowded 
with  spectators  from  Norfolk,  in  high  spirits  over  the 
holiday  entertainment  before  them,  which  would  silence 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  thrill  every  loyal  heart  in  the  land 
with  dismay  and  sorrow.  Upon  the  turret  of  the  Monitor 
stand  Lieutenant  Worden  and  other  officers,  scanning 
with  undiverted  gaze  every  movement  of  the  enemy 
proudly  approaching  them. 

To  all  beholders  it  is  an  hour  of  awful  interest.  The 
stillness  of  dread  suspense  seems  to  brood  over  the  ocean, 
and  haunt  like  a  viewless  presence  the  Sabbath  air.  With 
calm  determination  and  hope,  the  officers  and  men  wait  at 
their  stations  the  moment  to  decide  the  question  of  de- 
liverance or  destruction  to  our  shattered  fleet.     That  mo- 


212  LIFE   OF   JOHK   EEICSSON. 

ment  now  comes.  A  broadside  from  the  Merrimac  is 
rained  on  the  Minnesota,  anchored  fast  in  the  sands,  into 
wMch  she  ploughed  the  day  before.  The  frigate's  return 
shot  rattles  like  hail  on  the  roof  of  her  antagonist.  Poor 
victim  of  treason !  ail  seems  over  with  her  now.  The 
crowd  on  the  tugs  grow  excited  and  exultant.  Fine 
amusement  for  the  Lord's  day  is  certainly  theirs.  But 
now  they  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  Monitor  advancing  to 
share  the  conflict.  Whether  to  laugh  at  the  "  raft  with  a 
Yankee  cheese-box  upon  it,"  or  wait  for  ftirther  discovery 
of  the  intruder's  character,  is  the  curious  question  which 
attends  the  sight  of  our  "  forlorn  hope."  Lieutenant 
Worden  is  in  the  pilot  house  ;  the  distance  is  shortened  to 
half  a  mile  between  the  batteries,  and  the  command  to 
fire  sounds  on  the  ear  of  Lieutenant  Green,  who  com- 
mands the  gunners,  while  Engineer  Stimmers  has  his  hand 
on  the  lever  of  the  revolving  turret.  A  sound  of  ma- 
chinery, heard  only  in  the  dim  apartments  of  the  Monitor, 
and  then  a  voice  of  thunder ;  and  look !  that  metallic 
globe,  weighing  one  hundred  and  seventy  pounds,  describes 
its  curve  toward  the  Merrimac.  It  strikes  the  mailed 
monster,  and  a  tremor  of  amazement  seems  to  run  through 
the  very  frame  of  the  victor. 

A  moment's  pause  is  followed  by  a  fierce  onset  upon 
the  despised  antagonist.  How  the  iron  storm  beats  upon 
the  little  turret,  and  hisses  along  the  deck  !  Not  a  plate 
yields  to  the  fire.     The  "cheese  box"  stands  unbroken, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  213 

and  the  "  raft "  still  bears  it  on  the  tide.  The  disappoint- 
ed and  maddened  privateer  rushes  upon  the  Monitor^ 
hoping  to  crush  with  her  solid  prow  the  stranger  daring 
to  dispute  her  sovereignty  of  the  waters.  Lieutenant 
Worden  sends  through  the  tubes  to  his  gunners  the  order, 
^'  Reserve  your  fire,  aim  deliberately,  and  do  not  lose  a 
shot."  It  is  now  a  naval  duel,  the  like  of  which  was 
never  seen  before.  Thunder  answers  thunder — cannon 
balls  are  showered  on  the  Monitor,  whose  massive  globes 
of  iron  in  ^airs  fall  on  the  Merrimac.  Round  and  round 
the  rebel  battery  steams  her  enemy,  and  the  turret  re- 
volves to  assist  in  the  aim,  sending  a  shot  at  every  possi- 
bly vulnerable  point,  from  the  screw  and  rudder,  along 
her  sides  to  the  prow. 

Thus  hour  after  hour  the  fight  rages — thousands  of 
patriotic  freemen  are  within  their  temple  gates,  all  uncon- 
scious of  the  decisive  struggle.  The  mailed  ships  get  in 
near  and  final  conflict.  The  guns  of  the  Monitor  are 
aimed  at  the  water  line — that  is  to  say,  just  where  the 
ship's  side  was  washed  by  the  sea.  A  heavy  shot  takes 
effect,  but  how  great  the  damage  does  not  appear. 

"  Splendid,  sir  !  splendid,  sir  !  You  made  the  iron 
fly.  You  cannot  do  better,  but  fire  as  rapidly  as  you  can  ; " 
rang  the  commander's  voice  down  the  speaking  tubes,  on 
the  ear  of  Lieutenant  Green.  Back  and  forth  go  the  tre- 
mendous guns  on  their  carriages,  pounding  away  with  their 
balls  upon  the  Merrimac    A  hundred-pound  shot  comes 


214  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOIT. 

like  a  ponderous  sledge  upon  tlie  turret,  and  knocks  by  the 
concussion  the  men  from  their  balance,  and  that  is  all. 
The  dash  against  her  sides  bj  the  Merrimac  only  resulted 
in  bad  bruises  on  herself,  breaking  her  prow,  while  the 
Monitor's  sharp  edges  penetrate  her  coat  of  mail  until  the 
water  enters.  And  now  they  touch,  appearing  like  living 
forms  of  desperate  corn-age,  each  determined  to  conquer 
or  perish  in  the  attempt.  The  Torldown  comes  to  the 
rescue :  the  salute  of  a  shot  weighing  a  hundred  and 
seventy  pounds  disposes  of  her.  Pierced  through  and 
through,  she  withdraws  from  the  scene.  The  hot  muzzles 
of  the  ordnance  graze  each  other,  and  the  cloud,  echoing 
with  thunder  and  ablaze  with  the  lightning  of  battle, 
wraps  the  combatants  from  the  view  of  all  spectators  of 
the  contest.  The  ring  of  metal  against  metal — the  bound- 
ing of  shot  for  miles  over  the  waters — continued  to  signal 
the  undecided  struggle.  The  Monitor  continues  to  seek 
for  a  weak  spot  in  the  Merrimac' s  sides.  Look  !  she  has 
succeeded.  There  is  a  rent  in  the  side  of  the  Merrimac^ 
and  now  another,  and  then  is  opened  still  another.  The 
water  enters  these  ;  the  traitorous  monster  reels  before  the 
deadly  blows  of  the  Monitor.  The  die  is  cast,  the  victory 
won  !  The  rebel  prow  is  turned  again  for  the  moorings, 
but  under  circumstances  how  different  from  those  of 
Saturday  evening  !  Then  the  imagined  bark  went  with 
a  conqueror's  air  to  the  night-haven  ;  now  comipelled  to  go, 
with  smitten  crest,  the  humbled  rebel  retires.     A  fare- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON.  215 

well  shot  unfortunately  strikes  the  pilot-house  upon  the 
grated  outlook,  prostrating  in  an  instant  the  brave 
Worden — ^the  particles  of  iron  and  powder  thrown  into 
his  eyes,  completely  blinding  him.  He  will,  doubtless, 
be  a  life-long  sufferer  from  the  injury,  but  he  will  be  re- 
membered by  his  countrymen,  who  have  already  raised  a 
handsome  purse  for  his  material  aid.  Lieutenant  Green, 
taking  his  place,  pursues  the  retreating  foe  for  awhile, 
when  it  is  deemed  prudent  to  stay  with  the  fleet,  and  let 
the  Merrimac  go  halting,  possibly  ruined,  to  her  moorings 
again.  Soon  as  Lieutenant  Worden  revives  and  is 
able  to  speak,  he  inquires,  '  Have  I  saved  the  Minne- 
sota?' The  response  is,  'Yes,  and  whipped  the  Mer- 
rimac' The  reply  is  that  of  a  true  patriot  and  hero  : 
'  Then  I  care  not  what  becomes  of  me.'  " 

Writes  another  of  this  grand  achievement :  "  It  was  a 
glorious  victory.  Thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  on 
the  shore,  from  Fortress  Monroe,  Newport  News,  and  all 
the  rebel  batteries,  were  watching  the  conflict.  No  tongue 
can  tell  the  joy  which  thrilled  the  hearts  of  the  national 
troops  at  the  result.  Cheer  upon  cheer  rose  from  the 
fleet  and  from  the  fortress,  and  roUed  like  reverberating 
thunder  along  the  shores  and  over  the  bay. 

"  The  shattered  Merrimac  was  soon  met  by  two  rebel 
steamtugs,  who  took  her  in  their  arms,  and  bore  her 
fainting  and  dying  to  Norfolk.  Her  injuries  were  vital. 
After  the  efforts  of  months  to  repair  them,  she  did  not 


216  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOiT. 

ventiire  to  leave  her  hospital,  again  to  face  the  foe, 
until,  in  the  excess  of  chagrin  and  despair,  she  committed 
suicide. 

"The  Monitor  was  entirely  uninjured.  She  was 
struck  twenty-two  times  on  all  parts  of  her.  The  indent- 
ations were  so  slight  that  a  fresh  coat  of  paint  almost 
rendered  them  invisible,  with  the  exception  of  the  pilot 
house,  where  a  ball  striking,  bent  and  cracked  a  huge 
iron  beam,  nine  inches  by  twelve,  pressing  it  inward  one 
and  a  half  inches.  When  the  prow  of  the  Merrimac  came 
in  contact  with  the  side  of  the  Monitor^  an  insignificant 
dent  on  the  outside  was  the  only  mark  of  the  encounter. 
No  official  report  of  the  losses  on  board  the  Merrimac  was 
ever  published.  The  Norfolk  Day  Booh  stated  that  nine 
were  killed  and  eleven  wounded.  Others  of  the  rebel 
papers  denied  that  there  was  any  loss  of  life. 

"  The  Minnesota  was  subsequently  got  off  the  shoal, 
having  received  no  material  damage. 

"  Before  the  Monitor  sailed.  Captain  Ericsson  told  the 
officers  particularly  to  instruct  the  men  not  to  be  fright- 
ened at  the  terrible  concussions  of  the  enemy's  balls  against 
the  outside  of  the  turret.  It  might  stun,  but  it  would  not 
hurt  them.  The  concussion  of  shot  weighing  one  hundred 
pounds,  moving  at  the  rate  of  a  third  of  a  mile  a  second, 
and  striking  a  hollow,  iron-cased  chamber,  within  a  foot 
of  a  man's  head,  can  hardly  be  imagined.  Cast-iron  shot, 
striking  fairly  the  iron  mail,  will  crumble  almost  to  pow- 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  217 

der.  The  Monitor  carried  out  fifty  wrought-iron  shot. 
But  orders  were  issued  that  they  should  not  be  used. 
They  were  exactly  fitted  to  the  bore  of  the  guns,  and  it 
was  feared  that,  by  their  expansion  at  the  moment  of 
being  fired,  they  might  burst  the  guns.  Others  were  sub- 
sequently made  a  little  smaller,  which  would  allow  of  ex- 
pansion. The  Monitor  drew  but  ten  feet  of  water,  and 
could  consequently  go  almost  anywhere. 

"  The  night  succeeding  the  battle  there  was  another 
scene  of  terror.  At  midnight  the  thousands  at  Fortress 
Monroe  were  awakened'  by  fearful  cries  from  the  water, 
of  '  Fire  !  Fire  !  O  God  save  us  ! '  They  rushed  to  the 
shore.  At  a  little  distance  the  national  gunboat  Wliite- 
hall  was  all  in  flames.  There  were  no  boats  near  the 
camp.  There  seemed  to  be  no  hope  for  the  crew  but  to 
be  burned  or  drowned.  It  was  a  terrible  sight,  as  the 
whole  scene  was  illumined  as  with  the  light  of  day  by  the 
fire.  The  balls  from  shotted  guns  of  the  burning  steamer 
were  flying  in  all  directions,  endangering  those  who  look- 
ed on.  One  shell  struck  the  hospital,  causing  fearful 
terror,  as  the  inmates  supposed  that  the  dreaded  Merri' 
mac  had  returned  and  was  shelling  the  forts.  The  con- 
flagration was  caused  by  a  red-hot  shot  which  the  Merrimac, 
during  the  day,  had  thrown  through  the  Whitehall,  and 
which  had  left  between  the  timbers  a  smouldering  spark. 
Four  only  of  the  poor  seamen  perished  in  the  flames  and 
water.  The  rest,  by  God's  interposing  kindness,  suc- 
10 


218  LIFE   OF   JOHK   ERICSSOK 

ceeded  in  reacliiiig  the  shore.  Thus  ended  this  eventful 
conflict — a  battle  never  to  be  forgotten,  and  which  in- 
augurates a  new  era  in  naval  warfare." 

The  following  description,  by  one  of  its  officers,  of  the 
scene  on  board  the  Congress^  will  show  the  terrible  position 
in  which  that  ship,  and  its  officers  and  crew,  were  placed  v 

"  The  second  shot  came  into  the  stem  while  Captain 
Mclntire  and  myself  were  in  the  captain's  cabin,  firing 
from  Sharp's  rifles  into  the  portholes  of  the  Merrimac. 
The  ball  passed  between  the  captain  and  myself,  killing 
a  marine  who  was  also  there,  knocking  the  captain  down, 
and  knocking  me  against  the  door  of  the  pantry.  The 
stove  was  knocked  over,  and  every  thing  inside  broken 
up.  The  ball  passed  along  the  spar  deck,  killing  Mr. 
Thomas  Moore,  acting  master.  We  carried  the  marine 
below,  and  got  a  pail  of  water  and  put  out  the  cabin  fire, 
and  went  to  work  again,  firing  rifles  out  of  the  hole  the 
ball  made.  After  exhausting  my  supply,  I  went  outside, 
and  Mr.  Pendergrast  asked  me,  '  Where  is  Mr.  Smith?' 
I  did  not  know,  and  I  went  to  look  for  him,  the  balls  still 
whistling  around  me  and  mowing  their  way  through  the 
ship,  fore  and  aft.  Mr.  Smith's  cap  was  found  by  mas- 
ter's mate  Baurey,  all  torn  up,  and  his  body  was  found 
soon  after.  We  still  fought  them  as  well  as  we  could 
with  the  two  stern  chasers ;  but  finding  that  resistance 
was  useless,  we  struck  our  colors  at  a  quarter  to  four 
o'clock.     The  rebel  boat  Beaufort  came  alongside  of  us, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  219 

and  said,  '  The  officers  are  prisoners,  and  send  the  crew 
ashore,'  and  waited  to  bum  the  ship.  The  executive 
officer  of  the  Congress  demurred  to  the  burning  of  the 
ship  before  the  wounded  and  crew  wore  on  shore,  and 
said  he  shouldn't  do  it.  The  ship  had  then  been  on  fire 
about  an  hour.  The  Indiana  Twenty-first  regiment  were 
on  the  sandy  beach  of  the  shore,  and  sending  rifle  balls 
thick  and  fast  on  the  rebel  boat ;  some  also  hitting  our 
men.  The  rebel  officer,  a  midshipman,  ordered  some  of 
the  crew  on  board,  and  I  presume  about  fifty  got  on  her, 
but  subsequently  jumped  off  and  got  on  the  ship  again. 
I  then  went  below  to  pack  up  my  things — expecting  to  be 
a  prisoner  of  war — had  them  brought  on  deck,  but  the 
rebel  was  compelled  to  draw  off,  in  consequence  of  rifle 
balls  from  shore. 

"  The  Merrimac,  after  the  Beaufort  left  us,  poured  in 
another  broadside,  killing  eight  or  ten  men.  I  then  went 
below  to  get  the  company  rolls,  and  had  to  wade  in  blood 
and  water  ankle  deep  to  get  to  the  room  in  which  those 
books  were.  I  found  it  full  of  smoke,  and  considerably 
broken  up,  and  every  thing  knocked  in  pieces.  I  began 
to  feel  along  the  floor  for  the  roll  books,  when  a  shell 
burst  in  the  cockpit,  the  pieces  flying  around  like  hail. 
The  partition  between  the  rooms,  and  pieces  of  furniture, 
chairs,  bureau,  &c.,  broken  up  by  the  force  of  the  explo- 
sion, completely  covered  me  ;  but  I  finally  succeeded  in 
getting  out  with  what  I  went  after." 


220  LIFE   OF  JOHN  EEICSSON. 

Lieutenant  Pendergrast  states  :  "  Seeing  that  our  men 
were  being  killed,  without  the  prospect  of  any  relief  from 
the  Minnesota,  which  vessel  had  run  ashore  in  attempting 
to  get  up  to  us  from  Hampton  Koads,  not  being  able  to 
get  a  single  gun  to  bear  upon  the  enemy,  and  the  ship 
being  on  fire  in  several  places,  upon  consultation  with 
Commander  William  Smith,  we  deemed  it  proper  to  haul 
down  our  colors,  without  any  further  loss  of  life  on  our 
part.  We  were  soon  boarded  by  an  officer  of  the  Merri- 
mac,  who  said  he  would  take  charge  of  the  ship.  He  left 
shortly  afterward,  and  a  small  tug  came  alongside,  whose 
captain  demanded  that  we  should  surrender  and  get  out 
of  the  ship,  as  he  intended  to  burn  her  immediately.  A 
sharp  fire  with  muskets  and  artillery  was  maintained  from 
our  troops  ashore  upon  the  tug,  having  the  effect  of  driv- 
ing her  off.  The  Merrimac  again  opened  upon  us,  although 
we  had  a  peak  to  show  that  we  were  out  of  action.  After 
having  fired  several  shells  into  us,  she  left  us  and  engaged 
the  Minnesota  and  the  shore  batteries,  after  which  the 
wounded  were  taken  ashore  in  small  boats,  the  ship  hav- 
ing been  on  fire  from  the  beginning  of  the  action,  from 
hot  shot  fired  by  the  Merrimac. 

"  The  Cumberland  commenced  sinking  soon  after  the 
second  blow  was  given  her.  Before  the  frigate  had  en- 
tirely sunk,  they  continued  to  work  every  gun  above  the 
water  line.  One  of  her  after  guns  was  discharged  at  the 
enemy  as  she  was  actually  going  down,  prow  foremost. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  221 

She  sunk  in  about  forty-two  feet  of  water.  She  sunk 
very  slowly.  There  was  no  effort  to  escape,  no  rush  to 
the  boats,  not  a  sign  of  surrender,  and,  as  she  settled,  her 
guns  were  sullenly  fought  to  the  last  moment,  and  the  na- 
tional ensign  still  floated  defiantly  from  its  staff. 

"  The  United  States  steam  frigate  Minnesota^  in  at- 
tempting to  come  to  the  relief  of  the  Congress  and  Cum- 
herland,  grounded  ;  and  under  the  peculiar  circumstances 
of  the  first  day's  fight,  it  probably  saved  that  vessel  from 
sharing  the  fate  of  her  comrades  ;  for  where  she  lay,  the 
Merrimac  could  not  come  nearer  than  one  mile  of  her,  and 
the  fire  of  the  former  was  so  inaccurate,  that  but  one  of 
her  shots  hit  the  Minnesota.  The  rebel  steamers  York- 
town  and  Jamestown,  however,  took  such  position  as  to 
escape  the  sweep  of  most  of  the  guns  of  the  Minnesota, 
and  several  of  their  shots  took  effect  upon  her.  They 
continued  the  fire  upon  the  Minnesota  about  three  hours, 
when  they  all  withdrew  toward  Norfolk. 

"  Thus  ended  the  first  day's  fight.  The  day  closed, 
indeed,  with  sadness  in  the  hearts  of  our  officers,  besides 
having  the  fact  resting  on  their  minds  that  the  hostile  ma- 
chine, that  had  just  made  such  murderous  work,  had  only 
retired,  apparently  to  recruit  itself,  and  then  return  to 
complete  the  destruction  she  had  commenced,  having  the 
sailing  vessels  here  at  her  mercy.  While  despondency 
settled  on  many  brows,  and  conjectures  were  rife  as  to 
where  the  Merrimac  would  direct  her  attention  the  next 


222  LIFE   OF  JOHlsr  ERICSSON. 

day,  a  gleam  of  hope  arose.  At  eight  o'clock  in  the 
evening  a  bright,  movable  light  was  discovered  seaward, 
coming  from  the  direction  of  Cape  Charles  light.  It  being 
known  that  the  Ericsson  battery  had  left  New  York  a  few 
days  previous,  surmises  were  rife  that  this  light  might 
proceed  from  her  deck.  The  best  night  telescopes  were 
brought  into  requisition,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour 
after  it  first  hove  in  sight,  the  fact  was  circulated  that  the 
Ericsson  battery  was  coming  up  the  Roads.  The  news 
spread  like  wildfire  ;  the  ramparts  in  the  fort  were  soon 
lined  with  troops.  At  nine  o'clock  the  Monitor  anchored 
off*  Fortress  Monroe.  Lieutenant  Commanding  Worden 
immediately  reported  to  flag-officer  Marston,  and  subse- 
quently to  General  Wool.  It  was  at  once  determined  by 
those  officers  to  send  the  battery  to  Newport  News,  to 
protect  that  post,  also  to  defend  the  Minnesota^  which  was 
still  on  shore.  Before  she  started,  an  additional  supply 
of  ammunition  was  placed  on  board,  and  at  half-past 
eleven  o'clock  the  Monitor  went  on  her  mission,  to  await 
the  appearance  of  things  the  following  day.  The  arrival 
of  the  Monitor  was,  indeed,  providential." 

Had  Captain  Ericsson  done  nothing  in  all  his  wonder- 
fully active  life  but  invent  this  single  marvel  of  naval 
power,  his  history  and  name  would  merit  an  imperishable 
place  in  our  country's  annals.  How  plainly  was  he  God's 
gift  to  us  !  No  more  certainly  were  the  Mayflower,  and 
George  Washington  and  Abraham  Lincoln,  guided  by 


^  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  223 

Him,  than  was  tlie  inventor  and  his  invention  to  deliver 
our  imperilled  Republic.  The  nation  was  ready  to  praise 
both,  now  success  had  attended  them.  Ericsson's  name 
was  on  every  lip. 

I  saw  hanging  upon  the  wall  of  the  pleasant  parlor  of 
his  residence  a  beautiful  testimonial  on  parchment,  and 
elegantly  framed,  from  the  "  Empire  State."  The  form 
and  style  of  the  large  and  finished  engraving  I  cannot 
give  you ;  but  its  contents,  which  are  a  fitting  and  de- 
served tribute  from  the  commonwealth,  in  whose  chief 
city,  the  metropolis  of  the  new  world,  he  resides,  and 
from  whose  harbor  the  deliverer  of  our  imperilled  navy 
sailed.  In  the  centre  is  a  fine  likeness  of  Captain  Erics- 
son, and  near  the  lower  margin  an  excellent  picture  of  the 
Monitor. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  complimentary  memo- 
rial of  the  Monitor's  service,  and  her  inventor's  work : 

State  of  New  York,  ) 

In  Assembly,  March  13th,  1862.  ) 

The  recent  engagement  in  Hampton  Roads,  while 

establishing  the   utility  and   importance   of  -Iron-Clad 

Vessels  of  war,  as  equally  confirmed  the  genius  of  our 

inventors,    and  the   undaunted   gallantry   of  our   naval 

officers  and  soldiers  :  therefore  be  it 

Besolved,  That  Johk  EEicssoiir,  in  the  conception  and  con- 
struction of  the  steamer  Monitor,  has  contributed  materially 
to  the  protection  of  our  forces  on  sea  and  land,  and  the 


224:  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

effective  and  speedy  prosecntion  of  the  war,  and  is  eminently 
entitled  to  the  tha]s:k:s  of  his  countetmef. 

Besohed^  That  the  devoted  bravery  and  skill  of  Lieutenant 
J.  LoEiMEE  WoEDEN,  commander  of  the  Monitor  in  the  en- 
gagement, the  untiring  energy  of  the  engineer,  Allaist  0. 
Stimmees,  and  the  courage  and  fidehty  of  the  other  officers 
of  the  crew,  challenge  our  respect  and  gratitude. 

ResoUed^  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  preamble  and 
resolutions,  properly  engrossed  and  authenticated,  be  pre- 
sented to  John  Ericsson,  Lieutenant  Worden,  and  Engineer 

Stimmers. 

J.  B.  GUSHING,  GlerK 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

A  Yisit  to  the  Dictator— First  Impressions— The  Leviathan  in  repose — The  Tur- 
ret :  how  it  was  moved  from  the  Iron  Works — ^The  Machinery — The  Officers' 
Quarters— The  fighting  qualities  of  the  Dictator— Her  Equipment  and  ap- 
pearance at  Sea. 

T  was  a  bright  September  morning,  1864,  when  armed 
with  a  "  pass"  from  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Taylor,  Cap- 
tain Ericsson's  gentlemanly  and  intelligent  secre- 
tary, I  started  for  the  Dictator^  lyiiig  near  Mr. 
Delamater's  iron  works  at  the  foot  of  Thirteenth 
street,  New  York.  After  a  glance  at  the  large  establish- 
ment in  which  most  of  the  iron-clad's  armament  and  ma- 
chinery were  made,  I  went  on  board  the  floating  Gibraltar. 
Your  impression  upon  stepping  on  the  iron  deck,  and  find- 
ing massive  metallic  plates  on  every  side,  from  which 
rises  the  turret  of  the  same  material,  is,  that  the  ponder- 
ous engine  of  destruction  must  sink  like  a  stone  in  the 
waters. 

But  go  with  me  over  this  hitherto  unequalled  creation 
of  genius  and  mechanical  skill.     The  "pass"  is  directed 


226  LITE   OF   JOHN   EEIOSSON. 

to  "  Mr.  Gilbert  J.  Orr,"  tlie  superintending  engineer. 
He  opens  the  note,  reads,  and  dismissing  the  workman  to 
whom  he  was  giving  orders,  with  a  quiet  smile  of  wel- 
come, he  proposes  to  examine  the  turret,  which  is  the 
object  of  special  interest. 

Mr.  Orr  is  a  young  man,  and  a  native  of  New  York. 
He  was  a  studious  boy,  and  has  patiently  won  his  way  to 
his  present  high  position.  He  was  associated  with  Cap- 
tain Ericsson  in  the  construction  of  his  caloric  engines, 
and  superintended  the  building  of  the  iron-clads  Passaic, 
Montauh,  and  Catshill.  Marine  machinery  is  no  more  to 
him  than  toys  to  a  child. 

"  Mr.  Orr,  before  we  enter  that  circular  cannon-house, 
will  you  let  us  survey  the  features  of  the  giant,  and  tell 
us  his  dimensions  ?  " 

"  With  great  pleasure.     Step  to  the  bow  with  me." 

We  walk  over  the  iron  pavement,  past  heavy  chains, 
wheel,  smoke  pipe,  and  busy  hands,  and  stand  on  the 
Dictator's  very  brow. 

"  This  you  wiU  notice,"  remarks  Mr.  Orr,  "  is  the 
ram.  It  is  designed  and  believed  to  be  invulnerable  and 
formidable  as  a  prow  can  be  made." 

Turning  toward  the  stern,  Mr.  Orr  continues  : 

"  It  is  three  hundred  and  fourteen  feet  from  this  point 
to  the  extreme  one  aft.  The  greatest  width  is  fifty  feet, 
and  the  depth  twenty-two  and  a  half." 

It  may  aid  the  young  reader  ia  getting  a  correct  idea 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  227 

of  these  dimensions,  to  take  his  own  height  or  that  of  a 
tall  man  measuring  six  feet,  and  divide  the  figures  by  it. 
This  would  give  you  fifty  two  men  in  a  row  lengthwise, 
to  extend  from  the  prow  to  the  helm. 

But  Mr.  Orr  is  not  done  with  the  outline  view  of  the 
Dictator, 

"  The  armor  shelf  is  four  feet  wide.  Beginning  with 
the  outside,  there  are  six  one-inch  plates  of  iron — making 
half  a  foot  of  metal.  Next  to  this  lies  a  wall  of  oak  tim- 
ber, three  feet  thick,  lined  between  it  and  the  metal  with 
thick  felting.  The  last,  or  inside  part  of  the  armor,  is 
made  of  iron  bars  four  inches  and  a  half  in  thickness — 
making  on  the  armor  shelf  over  ten  inches  of  iron,  three 
of  oak,  and  half  an  inch  of  felting.  It  is  certain  that  no 
gun  yet  cast  or  wrought  can  pierce  it.  The  ship  is  di- 
vided into  water-tight  apartments.  Two  large  engines, 
whose  cylinders  are  one  hundred  inches  in  diameter, 
belong  to  the  propeller.  They  have  six  boilers,  and  are 
of  five  thousand  horse  power.  There  are  in  all  twelve 
steam  engines  on  board,  smd  fifty-six  furnaces." 

"  Why,  sir,  have  you  the  ten  extra  engines?" 

"  These  are  for  various  purposes,  as  I  will  soon  have 
the  pleasure  of  showing  you.  One  lifts  the  anchor,  another 
moves  the  turret,  while  still  a  third  turns  the  blowers ; 
and  so  with  other  machinery  for  working  the  ship." 

"  What  a  floating  ark  of  iron,  engines,  furnaces,  and 
machinery ! "  you  exclaim.     It  is  a  naval  wonder. 


228  LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

"  But  let  us  enter  tlie  turret  througli  this  porthole,  if 
you  will  climh,  rather  than  walk  in,"  says  our  attentive 
guide. 

We  soon  get  through  the  polished  mouth*  from  which 
one  of  the  two  tremendous  guns  is  to  pour  lire  and  ponder- 
ous hail,  almost  large  enough  up  and  down,  for  it  is  oval, 
for  you  to  stand  erect  in  it. 

"  This  turret,"  continues  Mr.  Orr,  "  is  fifteen  inches 
thick,  and  is  formed  of  two  separate  parts.  The  inner 
turret  is  made  of  six  one-inch  plates,  for  which  the  outer 
one  is  a  sleeve,  with  an  additional  thickness  of  another 
coating  of  metal.  Between  the  two  is  a  lining  of  solid 
hoops  or  bars.  The  whole  makes  a  great  revolving  tower, 
twenty-seven  feet  in  diameter,  and  weighing  about  two 
hundred  tons" 

"  And  how  was  it  moved  from  the  iron  works?" 

"  The  inside  turret  was  first  brought  on  deck,  along 
greased  ways,  by  means  of  pulleys.  It  made  only  a  foot 
or  so  at  each  step.  But  powerful  machinery  and  steady 
work  landed  the  whole  safely  here." 

Grlancing  around  the  interior  of  this  immense  turret, 
you  see  the  levers  and  wheelwork  for  turning  it  and 
handling  the  guns  connected  with  the  steam  engines 
below.  There  is  a  perfectly  smooth  metallic  shoulder 
around  the  central  shafting  on  which  the  whole  revolves. 
Indeed,  the  management  of  the  turret  does  not  materially 
differ  from  that  of  the  first  Monitor, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  229 

*'  If  you  would  like  to  see  the  engine  room  we  will 
descend  these  steps,"  says  Superintendent  Orr,  pointing 
down  a  steep  and  narrow  stairway,  also  of  iron. 

Here  we  are  in  the  skeleton  of  the  life-power.  Polished 
iron  shafts,  wheels,  and  levers,  massive  and  quiets — ^look- 
ing like  iron  freight  enough  to  sink  any  ship,  carefully 
laid  away  in  the  hold,  itself  a  great  i/rorv-safe.  Passing 
toward  the  bow,  we  enter  the  officers  quarters.  The 
rooms  are  all  below  the  water  line,  neatly  painted,  and 
each  furnished  with  a  crib-like  berth,  and  othei?  conven- 
iences, but  with  no  ornaments  or  luxuries  of  any  kind.  I 
think  the  first  impression  upon  the  mind  of  one  who  had 
seen  our  finest  prison-structures,  would  be  of  a  similar 
"home  on  the  waters.  The  dining  hall  and  the  state  rooms 
are  so  plain,  the  light  softened  down,  and  a  lattice  work 
in  each  door,  while  the  air  of  security  is  over  all  things. 
The  bunks  for  the  common  sailors  are  comfortable,  and 
the  entire  space  below  the  deck  is  admirably  ventilated. 
The  brave  Commodore  Rodgers  has  an  apartment  differ- 
ing from  other  officers  only  in  size,  and  some  trifling 
extras,  indicating  the  rank  t)f  the  occupant.  He  declares 
that  he  wishes  nothing  for  show ;  safety  and  services  in 
the  country's  defence  is  all  he  seeks.  It  is  no  pleasure 
yacht  he  is  to  command,  but  an  honest,  unadorned,  and 
kingly  worker  on  the  sea — a  Bepuhlican  Dictator.  Her 
practical  worth  on  the  ocean-plain  of  battle  is  yet  to  be 
tested.     Whatever  defects  or  failures  may  attend  the  new 


230  LIFE    OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 

order  of  things  in  the  navy,  the  greatness  of  the  revolu- 
tion attending  the  inventions  of  Captain  Ericsson,  cannot 
be  questioned,  and  is  yet  to  be  more  clearly  seen  and  felt 
over  the  world.  I  shall  give  you  the  story  of  a  recent 
and  splendid  achievement,  which,  it  is  just  to  say,  could 
not  have  shed  lustre  on  our  navy,  and  immortalized  a 
young  hero,  had  it  not  been  for  Captain  Ericsson.  That 
is,  his  propeller  and  other  inventions  in  the  armament  of 
war-vessels,  were  the  indispensable  means  of  success. 
How  quietly  the  little  "  picket"  did  its  work  ;  "  stole  the 
march"  upon  a  formidable  foe  !  We  copy  from  Mr.  O. 
G.  Sawyer's  despatch : 

"Hampton  Koads,  Ya.,  November  1,  1864. 
"  The  most  audacious,  brilliant,  and  successful  affair 
of  the  war,  occurred  in  the  waters  of  North  Carolina  last 
week,  in  which,  after  the  briefest  contest  but  one,  as  it 
vriU  prove  of  the  best  results,  the  rebel  iron-clad  ram 
Albemarle  was  effectually  destroyed  and  sent  to  the  bottom 
by  a  torpedo  discharged  by  Lieutenant  William  B.  Cush- 
ing,  of  the  navy.  The  great'  mailed  monster  that  has  so 
long  excited  the  apprehensions  of  the  Navy  Department, 
and  held  in  the  Sound  a  force  greatly  in  excess  of  that 
which  was  usually  stationed  there,  now  lies  quietly  at  the 
bottom  of  the  Roanoke  River,  a  subject  of  curious  contem- 
plation and  dread  to  the  fish  that  frequent  those  waters. 
In  the  squadron  every  one  feels  a  sense  of  relief  in  realiz 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  231 

ing  the  fact  that  the  Albemarle  is  no  longer  afloat,  or 
capable  of  doing  further  damage  ;  for  it  is  no  secret  that 
she  was  one  of  the  toughest  customers  for  wooden  vessels 
to  confront  that  has  yet  floated.  Her  raid  on  the  flotilla 
on  the  5th  of  last  May  proved  that  fact  beyond  a  shadow 
of  a  doubt.  She  then  encountered  and  fought  to  great 
advantage  three  heavily-armed  double-enders — the  Sassa- 
cus,  Matahesett,  and  Wyalusing — and  retired  only  after  a 
prolonged  contest,  slightly  damaged.  While  she  floated 
no  post  held  by  us  and  accessible  to  her  was  safe.  She 
could  go  her  way  as  she  chose,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of 
our  wooden  vessels,  unless  some  accident  occurred  to  her 
which  shotild  prevent  her  steaming.  None  of  the  light 
draft  Monitors  were  ready  to  confront  her,  and  she 
threatened  to  clear  our  forces  out  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina. 

"  Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  subsequent  to  the  5th 
of  May.  Our  squadron  in  Albemarle  Sound  had  been 
largely  increased  by  the  addition  of  several  light  draught, 
heavily-armed  vessels  ;  but,  even  with  these,  it  was  some- 
what doubtful  whether  the  possession  of  the  Sound  was 
insured  us.  So  it  was  determined  to  get  rid  of  the  mon- 
ster in  some  more  expeditious  and  certain  way. 

"  Lieutenant  William  B.  Gushing,  a  young  officer  of 
great  bravery,  coolness,  and  resources,  submitted  a  project 
to  Admiral  Lee,  in  June  last,  by  which  he  hoped,  if  suc- 
cessfiilly  carried  out,  to  rid  the  Sound  of  the  Albemarle, 


232  LITE   OF  JOHN   EEICSS05}-. 

and  insure  us  its  possession.  Admiral  Lee  entered  warm- 
ly into  the  scheme,  as  did  the  Navy  Department,  which 
immediately  detached  Lieutenant  Gushing  from  the  Mon- 
ticello  and  placed  him  on  this  special  duty,  at  the  same 
time  giving  him  every  facility  to  carry  out  the  object  in 
view. 

"  Lieutenant  Gushing  at  once  proceeded  to  New  York, 
and,  in  conjunction  with  Admiral  Gregory,  Gaptain  Boggs, 
and  Ghief  Engineer  William  W.  W.  Wood,  arranged  one 
of  the  new  steam  picket  boats,  which  is  about  the  size  of 
a  frigate's  launch,  with  a  torpedo  arrangement,  and  then 
took  her  down  in  the  Sound  for  duty.  Having  made 
several  reconnoissances  up  the  E-oanoke  Rtver,  which 
gave  him  some  valuable  information,  and  having  perfect- 
ed his  arrangements,  on  the  night  of  the  27th  ultimo  he 
got  under  way  from  the  squadron  off  the  mouth  of  the 
river  and  steamed  boldly  up  the  river.  In  the  steam 
launch  were  Lieutenant  Gushing,  Paymaster  T.  H. 
Swann,  a  volunteer  from  the  Otsego,  and  Master's  Mate 
W.  L.  Howorth,  of  the  gunboat  Monticello,  and  Third 
Assistant  Engineer  Stolsbury,  in  charge  of  the  engine, 
with  a  crew  of  ten  men,  nearly  all  of  whom  volunteered 
for  the  service.  An  armed  cutter  of  the  Shamrock,  with 
an  officer  and  ten  men,  was  towed  along,  for  the  purpose 
of  attending  to  some  of  the  minor  details  of  the  work.  It 
was  known  that  the  enemy  had  pickets  along  the  river 
banks,  and  on  the  wreck  of  the  gunboat  Southfield,  sunk 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  233 

by  the  Albemarle  last  spring,  and  which  laid  about  a  mile 
below  the  town  of  Plymouth.  The  pickets,  who  were  in 
the  habit  of  stationing  themselves  on  the  hurricane  deck 
of  the  Southfield — the  only  portion  of  the  wreck  above 
water — were  to  be  turned  over  to  the  care  of  the  Sham- 
rock^ s  cutter  when  the  proper  time  came,  while  those  along 
the  river  were  to  be  passed  in  silence,  and  without  giving 
alarm,  if  possible. 

"  At  about  midnight  the  little  picket  boat  entered  the 
narrow  river,  and  steamed  cautiously  and  silently  up  with- 
out giving  the  least  alarm.  The  Southfield  and  three 
schooners  alongside  of  her  engaged  in  raising  her  up, 
were  passed  at  a  short  distance — almost  within  biscuit 
toss — without  a  challenge  or  hail.  It  was  not  until  Lieu- 
tenant Gushing  reached  within  pistol  shot  of  the  Albemarle^ 
which  lay  alongside  the  dock  at  Plymouth,  that  he  was 
hailed,  and  then  in  an  uncertain  sort  of  way,  as  though 
the  lookouts  doubted  the  accuracy  of  their  vision.  He 
made  no  reply,  but  continued  to  press  toward  the  rebel 
monster,  and  was  for  the  second  time  hailed.  He  paid 
no  attention  to  the  challenge,  but  kept  straight  on  his  way, 
first  detaching  the  Shamrockh  cutter  to  go  below  and 
secure  the  rebel  pickets  on  the  Southfield. 

"  In  another  instant,  as  he  closed  in  on  the  ram,  the 
rebel  Captain  Walley,  in  a  very  dignified,  pompous, 
studied  manner,  shouted,  '  What  boat  is  that  ? '  The  re- 
ply was  an  invitation  for  him  to  go  to  blank !     There- 


234  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

upon  arose  a  terrible  clamor.  The  rattle  was  vigorously 
sprung,  the  bells  on  the  ship  were  sharply  rung,  and  all 
hands  were  called  to  quarters,  evidently  in  great  conster- 
nation and  some  confusion.  A  musketry  fire  was  imme- 
diately opened  upon  the  torpedo  boat,  and  a  charge  of 
canister  was  fired,  injuring  some  of  the  crew.  Along  the 
dock  to  which  the  Albemarle  was  tied  were  a  large  num- 
ber of  soldiers,  evidently  stationed  there  to  guard  against 
a  landing  of  our  force  after  a  surprise.  And  in  front  of 
their  lines  blazed  cheerily  up  a  number  of  camp  fires, 
which  threw  a  strong  light  upon  the  rebel  vessel  and  the 
bosom  of  the  river.  By  the  aid  of  this  glare  Lieutenant 
Gushing  discovered  the  pier  of  floating  timbers  which  sur- 
rounded the  ram  on  the  accessible  sides,  to  guard  against 
the  approach  of  rams  and  torpedoes.  And  by  the  aid  of 
the  same  light  he  plainly  saw  the  large  body  of  soldiers 
thronging  to  the  wharf  and  blazing  away  at  his  boat.  To 
quiet  these  fellows  he  brought  the  bow  of  his  boat  around 
a  little,  and  discharged  a  heavy  stand  of  canister  into  them 
from  his  twelve-pounder  howitzer  mounted  at  the  bow, 
and  sent  them  flying.  Making  a  complete  circle,  under  a 
scorching  musketry  fire  at  less  than  thirty  yards,  he  came 
around,  bow  on,  at  full  steam,  and  struck  the  floating 
guard  of  timbers,  pressing  them  in  toward  the  hull  of  the 
ram.  His  boat  soon  lost  headway,  and  came  to  a  stand 
still,  refusing  to  back  ofi"  or  move  ahead.  The  moment 
for  decisive  action  had  now  arrived.     The  enemy  fired 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  235 

muskets  and  pistols  almost  in  his  face  from  the  ports  of 
the  ram,  and  from  the  hundred  small  arms  on  shore. 
Several  of  his  men  were  wounded,  and  Payiaciaster  Swann 
had  fallen  severely  wounded.  The  officers  and  crew  of 
the  Albemarle  cried  out,  '  Now  we've  got  him  ;  surrender, 
surrender,  or  we  will  blow  you  to  pieces.'  The  case 
looked  desperate  indeed  ;  but  Lieutenant  Gushing  was  as 
cool  and  determined  at  the  moment  as  one  could  be  under 
the  most  agreeable  circumstances.  He  knew  that  the  de- 
cisive moment  had  come,  and  he  did  not  allow  it  to  glide 
from  his  hands.  He  seized  the  lanyard  to  the  torpedo  and 
the  line  of  the  spar,  and  crowding  the  spar  until  he  had 
brought  the  torpedo  imder  the  overhang  of  the  Albemarle 
he  detached  it  by  one  effort,  and  the  next  second  he  pull- 
ed the  lanyard  of  the  torpedo  and  exploded  it  fairly  under 
the  vessel  on  her  port  side,  just  below  the  porthole  of  the 
two  hundred  pounder  Brooke's  rifle,  which  at  that  mo- 
ment was  discharged  at  the  boat.  An  immense  volume 
of  water  was  thrown  out  by  the  explosion  of  the  torpedo, 
almost  drowning  all  in  the  boat ;  and  to  add  to  the  peril 
of  the  moment,  the  heavy  shell  from  the  enemy's  gun  had 
gone  crushing  through  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  knocking 
the  splinters  about  in  a  terrible  style.  She  at  once  began 
to  sink  in  the  most  rapid  manner,  and  Lieutenant  Gush- 
ing ordered  all  hands  to  save  themselves  as  best  they 
might.  He  divested  himself  of  his  coat  and  shoes,  and 
plunged  into  the  river,  followed  by  those  of  his  men  who 


236  LIFE  OF  JOHK   ERICSSOIN-. 

were  able  to  do  so.  All  struck  for  the  middle  of  the  river, 
under  a  hot  fire  of  musketry,  the  balls  perforating  their 
clothing  and^striking  all  about  them,  and  in  two  or  three 
instances,  it  is  feared,  so  badly  wounding  the  swimmers 
that  they  sunk  before  boats  from  the  shore  could  reach 
them.  Lieutenant  Gushing  heard  the  rebels  take  to  boats 
and  push  after  the  survivors,  demanding  their  surrender. 
Many  gave  up,  but  two  of  the  seamen  were  drowned  near 
by  him — ^whether  owing  to  wounds  received  or  exhaustion 
he  could  not  state.  Paymaster  Swann  was  wounded  and 
is  a  prisoner ;  but  how  many  others  fell  into  the  rebel 
hands  has  not  as  yet  been  ascertained.  Lieutenant  Gush- 
ing swam  down  the  river  half  a  mile,  until,  exhausted  and 
chilled  by  the  cold  water,  he  was  compelled  to  struggle  to 
the  shore,  which  he  reached  about  daylight.  After  ly- 
ing in  the  weeds  along  the  river  bank  for  some  time,  he 
recovered  his  strength  sufficiently  to  crawl  into  the  swamp 
further  till  daylight  found  him  lying  in  the  swamp  grass, 
between  two  paths,  and  in  speaking  distance  of  the  enemy's 
fort.  While  lying  there  but  partially  screened  by  this 
low  sedge,  he  saw  some  rebel  officers  and  men  walk  by, 
and  heard  their  conversation,  which  was  entirely  devoted 
to  the  affair  of  the  morning.  From  their  remarks  he 
learned  that  the  torpedo  had  done  its  work  effectively  and 
thoroughly,  and  that  his  great  object  was  accomplished. 
lie  did  not  learn  any  of  the  details  of  the  sinking,  but 
heard  it  stated  that  the  ram  hatd  gone  down  by  her  dock, 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  237 

and  was  a  complete  loss.  He  also  learned  of  the  capture 
of  the  paymaster  and  some  others  of  his  crew  from  the 
same  source. 

"  Finding  that  there  was  great  danger  of  his  detection 
if  he  remained  in  his  exposed  position  all  day,  lying 
within  a  few  yards  of  two  frequented  paths,  and  so  near 
the  river,  he  began  to  move  slowly  away  toward  the 
swamp.  He  was  obliged  to  move  cautiously,  so  he  laid 
on  his  back,  and  by  pushing  his  heels  into  the  ground  he 
slowly  pushed  himself  along,  and  after  a  long  and  ex- 
hausting effort  passed  over  the  sixty  yards  of  ground  that 
laid  between  him  and  better  cover.  Once  concealed, 
he  laid  up  for  the  day  and  rested  himself.  He  was  fortu- 
nate enough  before  midnight  to  get  hold  of  a  negro,  whom 
he  sent  into  town  to  learn  the  extent  of  his  success.  The 
negro  obeyed  his  instructions,  and  reported  that  the 
Albemarle  was  out  of  sight — '  Clar  gone  sunk.' 

"At  night  Lieutenant  Gushing  struck  through  the 
swamp,  and  after  the  greatest  and  most  exhausting  toil 
and  pain — as  he  was  in  his  stocking  feet,  and  continually 
plunging  over  roots,  briers,  logs,  oyster  shells,  and  lacer- 
ating his  flesh  severely,  he  reached  a  point  six  miles 
below  the  town,  where  he  discovered  a  skiff  used  by  a 
picket.  "Watching  his  chance  he  seized  this,  and  with  a 
single  paddle,  paddled  off  to  the  squadron  twelve  miles 
distant,  which  he  reached  in  safety.  Only  one  beside 
himself — ^William  Hoften,  a  sailor  on  the  Chicopee,  who 


238  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

had  volunteered  on  the  occasion — ^returned  to  the  squadron. 
He  was  picked  up  by  a  boat  and  sent  off  when  nearly 
exhausted. 

"  Lieutenant  Gushing  immediately  came  here  on  the 
special  despatch  boat  Valley  City,  and  reported  to  Admiral 
Porter.  To  night  he  will  go  to  Washington  and  report  to 
the  Department.  He  is  worn  out  and  in  need  of  rest,  which 
we  hope  he  will  be  permitted  to  enjoy. 

"  This  last  brave  and  gallant  action  of  his  is  likely  to 
gain  him  an  advance  of  one  grade  in  his  rank,  and  it  will 
also,  if  the  law  is  rightly  construed,  be  apt  to  prove  a 
great  financial  success,  which  is  somewhat  more  substan- 
tial. His  share  of  the  prize-money  from  the  Albemarle, 
if  she  is  fairly  placed  at  a  valuation,  would  be  in  the 
neighborhood  of  fifty  thousand  dollars — an  acceptable 
sum  to  any  one.  Lieutenant  Gushing  has  again  been 
ordered  to  the  command  of  the  gunboat  Monticello,  which 
will  await  him  until  his  return  from  a  short  leave. 

"  The  destruction  of  the  ^Z6emar?e  will  release  the  large 
squadron  of  powerful  light-draught  vessels  which  have, 
since  her  debut  last  May,  been  maintained  in  the  Sound. 
They  can  go  elsewhere  now. 

"  On  areconnoissance  made  by  the  Valley  City  to  within 
a  mile  of  Plymouth,  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had 
sunk  the  schooners  which  were  engaged  in  attempting  to 
raise  the  Southfield  directly  across  the  channel,  thus  tem- 
porarily blockading  the  river.     Although  the  town  was  in 


*  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON.  239 

eight,  not  a  trace  could  be  seen  of  tlie  rebel  ram,  and  it  is 
proved  in  other  ways,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  she  lies  in 
thirty  feet  of  water,  from  which  it  will  be  impossible  to 
raise  her  again. 

"  Captain  Walley,  who  had  assumed  command  of  the 
ship  only  three  weeks  ago,  relieving  Captain  Cooke,  who 
commanded  her  in  the  action  of  May  last,  began  his  duties 
in  a  very  bombastic  style.  He  mustered  his  officers  and 
men,  and  assured  them  that  in  three  weeks  he  would 
again  attack  the  enemy  and  sink  and  scatter  his  fleet,  and 
then  he  would  retake  New^bern  and  drive  the  Yankees 
from  every  foot  of  North  Carolina  soil.  With  the  Alhe- 
marle  and  their  aid,  with  the  cooperation  of  the  gaUant 
army,  he  would,  before  the  new  year,  regenerate  the 
State,  and  leave  not  a  trace  of  a  Yankee  within  its 
borders. 

"It  is  not  improbable  that  he  might  have  effected  a 
good  deal  of  damage,  and  perhaps  have  endangered  for 
the  time  being  our  tenure  at  Newbern  and  Roanoke 
Island,  as  he  was  nearly  ready  for  his  raid.  Thanks, 
however,  to  the  gallant  Cushing  and  his  brave  comrades, 
through  whose  coolness,  courage,  and  skill  the  coup  de 
main  was  so  admirably  administered  to  the  mailed  mon- 
ster, all  danger  has  passed,  and  another  destructive  blow 
has  been  given  to  the  declining  rebel  navy. 

"  A  meed  of  credit  and  praise  should  be  awarded 
to  Chief  Engineer  Wm.  W,  Wood,  of  the  navy,  to  whose 


240  LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON-. 

inventive  abilities  and  experience  in  submarine  warfare 
we  owe  the  contrivance  of  the  torpedo  and  the  successful 
arrangement  by  wMcb  it  is  bandied  and  exploded.  The 
one  fired  by  Lieutenant  Cusbing  contained  but  fifty  pounds 
of  powder ;  but  it  did  its  work  to  a  cbarm.  There  was 
no  chance  of  its  failing  in  bis  hands.  The  entire  arrange- 
ment is  exceedingly  ingenious,  and  it  would  be  manifestly 
improper  to  describe  it  at  this  time. 

"  The  Albemarle  was  an  iron-cased  vessel,  similar  in 
general  features  to  the  Merrimac  and  Tennessee,  but  much 
stronger.  It  is  said  that  her  iron  mail  was  twelve  inches 
in  thickness,  and  backed  by  several  feet  of  solid  timber. 
She  was  armed  with  two  two-hundred  pounder  Brooke 
rifles,  and  was  perfectly  shot  proof.  Her  weak  point 
proved  to  be  below.  She  could  have  been  captured  only 
by  ramming,  and  for  that  purpose  much  heavier  vessels 
were  needed  than  any  that  could  be*got  into  the  Sound. 
The  torpedo  was  the  only  means  of  destroying  her,  and 
that  proved  successful  when  tried. 

''  The  Albemarle  is  probably  the  last  formidable  vessel 
that  the  rebels  have  in  the  inland  waters  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  they  will  hardly  have  an  opportunity  of  building 
more." 

,  The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  wrote  a  letter  to  young 
Gushing,  which  ought  to  encourage  all  boys  who  have  a 
noble  ambition  to  be  useful  as  patriotic  citizens : 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EKICSSON.  2-11 

"Navy  Departmen-t,  Washington,  Nov.  9,  1864.* 

"  Sir  :  Your  report  of  October  SOtli  has  been  received, 
announcing  the  destruction  of  the  rebel  iron-clad  steamer 
Albemarle,  on  the  night  of  the  27th  ult.,  at  Plymouth, 
N.  C. 

"  When  last  summer  the  Department  selected  you  for 
this  important  and  perilous  undertaking,  and  sent  you  to 
Rear  Admiral  Gregory,  at  New  York,  to  make  the  neces- 
sary preparations,  it  left  the  details  with  yourself  to  per- 
fect. To  you  and  your  brave  comrades,  therefore,  belongs 
the  exclusive  credit  which  attaches  to  this  daring  achieve- 
ment. 

"  The  destruction  of  so  formidable  a  vessel,  which  had 
resisted  the  combined  attacks  of  a  number  of  our  steamers, 
is  an  important  event  touching  our  naval  and  military 
operations.  The  judgment  as  well  as  the  daring  courage 
displayed,  would  do  honor  to  any  officer,  and  redounds  to 
the  credit  of  one  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

"  On  previous  occasions  the  Department  has  had  the 
gratification  of  expressing  its  approbation  of  your  con- 
duct in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  and  in  each  instance  there 
was  manifested  by  you  the  same  heroic  daring  and  innate 
love  of  perilous  adventure — a  mind  determined  to  succeed 
and  not  to  be  deterred  by  any  apprehension  of  defeat. 

"  The  Department  has  presented  your  name  to  the 
President  for  a  vote  of  thanks,  that  you  may  be  promoted 
one  grade,  and  your  comrades  shall  also  receive  recogni- 
11 


24:2  LIFE   OF  JOHN  EEICSSOIT. 

tion.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  recall  the  assurance  you 
gave  me  at  the  commencement  of  your  professional  career, 
that  you  would  prove  yourself  worthy  of  the  service  to 
which  you  were  appointed. 

"  I  trust  you  may  he  preserved  through  further  trials  ; 
and  it  is  for  yourself  to  determine  whether,  after  entering 
upon  so  auspicious  a  career,  you  shall,  by  careful  study  and 
self-discipline,  be  prepared  for  a  wider  sphere  of  useful- 
ness on  the  call  of  your  country.  Very  respectfully, 
"  (Signed)  Gideon  Welles, 

"  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

"Lieut.  W.  B.  Gushing,  U.  S.  N.,  Washington." 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  Propeller  in  the  Navy— The  interesting  variety  of  Names— The  Pay  of 
OflScers  and  Men— The  Stromboli — The  new  Cassabianca. 


)T  will  interest  the  reader  to  see  what  Captain  Erics- 
son's propeller  has  done  for  the  navy,  apart  from 
the  decisive  battles  on  the  sea.  I  will  give  you  a 
glimpse  of  the  wonderful  change  since  the  Princeton 
was  launched  in  1843.  The  names  wiU  furnish 
the  reference,  if  you  wish  to  know  about  any  vessel  no- 
ticed in  the  annals  of  the  war.  The  list  includes  only 
screw  steamers,  of  course. 

BOEEW  STEAMEES. 


AUeghany,    -     - 

10  guns. 

Antona,    -     -    - 

5  guns 

Anacostia,     -    - 

4     " 

Arkansas,      -     - 

5     " 

Aroostook,    -     - 

7     " 

Arapoho,       -     - 

8     " 

A.  C.  Powell,    - 

1     " 

Aries,       -     -     - 

7     " 

Albatross,     -     - 

6     " 

Aug.  Dinsmore, 

2     " 

Acacia,    -    -     - 

a 

Brooklyn,      -     - 

24     " 

Alert,       -     -     - 

2     " 

Bermuda,      -     - 

3     " 

Ammonoosuc,    - 

__      a 

Colorado,      -     -r 

52     " 

Antieta,m,      -    - 

20     " 

Canandaigua,     - 

10     " 

24:4: 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 


Crusader,      -     - 

7  guns. 

Farallones,    -    - 

6  guns 

Cambridge,   -     - 

10 

(( 

Fuchsia,  -     -    - 

3     " 

Chippewa,     -     - 

4 

u 

Galataea,  -    -    - 

14     " 

Chocura,  -     -     - 

5 

a 

Gertrude,      -    - 

8     " 

Ceres,       -     -     - 

4 

a 

Glaucus,  -    -    - 

11     " 

Cajuga,    -     -    - 

7 

li 

Gov.  Buckingham 

,   6     " 

Currituck,     -    - 

5 

u 

Grand  Gulf,  -     - 

11     " 

Cohasset,       -    - 

2 

u 

Guerriere,     -     - 

20     " 

Calypso,  -    -     - 

6 

(( 

Hartford,       -     - 

27    " 

Camellia,  -     -     - 

— 

(( 

Hunts  ville,    -    - 

4    " 

Carnation,     -     - 

2 

(( 

Henry  Brinker,  - 

1     " 

Chattanooga, 

— 

4C 

Housatonic,  -     - 

13     " 

Circassian,    -     - 

6 

U 

Huron,     -     -     - 

4     " 

Clover,     -     -     - 

— 

a 

Hassala,  -     -     - 

8     " 

Contoocook,  -     - 

8 

u 

Hendrick  Hudson 

6     " 

Dacotah,  -     -     - 

7 

u 

Home,      -     -     - 

3     " 

Dawn,      -     -     - 

5 

ii 

Honeysuckle,     - 

a 

Daylight,  -     -     - 

8 

u 

Howquah,     -     - 

4     " 

Dai-Ching,    -    - 

7 

u 

Hydrangia,   -    - 

ii 

Dandelion,    -     - 

2 

ii 

Iroquois,  -     -     - 

8     " 

E.  B.  Hale,  -    - 

6 

ii 

Itasca,      -     -    - 

4     " 

Emma,     -    -    - 

7 

ii 

Ida,     -     -    -    - 

1     " 

Eureka,    -     -     - 

— 

ii 

Idaho,      -     -     - 

8.  " 

Franklin,  -     -     - 

50 

u 

Illinois,     -     -     - 

20     " 

Flambeau,     -     - 

5 

(( 

Iris,     -     -     -     - 

a 

Flag,  -     -     -     - 

8. 

(( 

Iron  Age,      -     - 

11      " 

Fahkee,    -    -    - 

3 

ii 

Juniata,   -    «    - 

11      " 

LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON. 


245 


Jasmin,    -    - 

- 

2  guns. 

Monticello,    - 

- 

7  guns 

Java,  -     -    - 

- 

20 

u 

Mount  Yernon 

- 

4     " 

Jonquil,    -     - 

- 

— 

a 

Monongahela, 

- 

12     " 

Kearsarge,    - 

- 

8 

a 

Memphis, 

- 

7    " 

Kanawha,     - 

- 

4 

a 

Maumee,  -     - 

- 

5     " 

Kennebec,     - 

- 

5 

a 

Madawaska,  - 

- 

__    " 

Kineo,      -     - 

- 

6 

a 

Manitto,  -     - 

- 

8     " 

Katahdin, 

- 

7 

a 

Marigold, 

- 

2     " 

Kansas,    -    - 

- 

5 

u 

Mary  Sanford, 

- 

3     " 

Keosauqua,  - 

- 

8 

a 

Mondamin,   - 

- 

8     " 

Kewaydin     - 

- 

20 

u 

Monterey,     - 

- 

li 

Lancaster,     - 

- 

30 

(( 

Mosholu,  -     - 

- 

8     " 

Leslie,      -     - 

- 

2 

a 

Niagara,  -     - 

- 

32     " 

Louisiana,     - 

- 

5 

a 

Norwich,  -     - 

- 

6     " 

Lackawanna. 

- 

14 

a 

New  London, 

- 

5     " 

Larkspur, 

- 

— 

ii 

Narragansett, 

- 

6     " 

Tiilac,  -     -    - 

- 

2 

a 

Nipsic,     -     - 

- 

5     " 

Lodona,    -     - 

- 

7 

u 

Narcissus,     - 

- 

4C 

Lupin,      -     - 

- 

— 

u 

Neptune,  -     - 

- 

11         " 

Minnesota,    - 

- 

20 

li 

Nereus,    -    - 

- 

11         « 

Mohawk, 

- 

8 

u 

Neshaminy,  - 

- 

(( 

Mohican, 

- 

7 

u 

Newbern, 

- 

6     " 

Mystic,     -    - 

- 

7 

li 

Niphon,    -     - 

- 

7    " 

Marblehead,  - 

- 

6 

ii 

Nyack,     -     - 

- 

5     " 

Massachusetts, 

- 

5 

u 

Oneida,     -     - 

- 

10     " 

Mercedita,     - 

- 

9 

u 

Ossipee,   -     - 

- 

13     " 

Montgomery, 

- 

6 

u 

Ottawa,    -    - 

- 

5    " 

246 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  EEICSSON-. 


Owasco,  -    -    - 

4  guns. 

Seminole, 

- 

9  guns, 

Ontario,   -     -     - 

20 

a 

Sciota,      -     - 

- 

3 

u 

Pawnee,   -     -     - 

10 

li 

Seneca,    -     - 

- 

4 

li 

Pensacola,     -     - 

24 

u 

Sagamore,     - 

- 

4 

ii 

PocahontaSj  -     - 

7 

a 

South  Carolina 

5  " 

8 

u 

Princeton,     -     - 

— 

a 

Stars  and  Stripes, 

5 

u 

Pembina,       -     - 

4 

u 

Shenandoah, 

- 

10 

u 

Penobscot,     -     - 

4 

a 

Sacramento,  - 

- 

10 

li 

Panola,     -     -     - 

4 

u 

Stettin,     -     - 

- 

5 

I'l 

Penguin,  -     -     - 

6 

a 

Saco,  -     -     - 

- 

7 

(( 

Potomska,     -     - 

6 

a 

Shawmut, 

* 

5 

(( 

Pequot,     -     -     - 

11 

a 

Snowdrop,     - 

- 

— 

11 

Peterhoff,      -    - 

— 

u 

Sunflower,     - 

- 

3 

a 

Piscataqua,  -     - 

20 

a 

Sweet-Brier, 

- 

— 

u 

Pompanoosuc,    - 

— 

a 

Tuscarora,    - 

- 

10 

u 

Poppy,      -     -     - 

— 

a 

Tahoma,  -    - 

- 

6 

u 

Priinrose,      -     - 

2 

a 

Ticonderoga, 

- 

10 

u 

Princess  Eoyal,  - 

7 

u 

Teaser,     -     - 

- 

1 

11 

Proteus,    -     -     - 

11 

a 

Tahgayuta,  - 

- 

8 

li 

Pushmatalia, 

8 

i( 

Unadilla,  -     - 

- 

7 

u 

Queen,      -     -     - 

4 

a 

Uncas,      -     - 

- 

5 

11 

Kichmond,    -     - 

22 

u 

Union,      -     - 

- 

1 

11 

Resolute,  -     -     - 

2 

u 

Valley  City,  - 

- 

6 

ii 

Rescue,    -     -     - 

1 

a 

Victoria,  -     - 

- 

3 

u 

R.  R.  Cuyler,     - 

12 

a 

Vicksburg,    - 

- 

6 

(( 

Rocket,    -    -    - 

— 

a 

Violet,      -    - 

- 

2 

u 

San  Jacinto,  -    - 

14 

a 

Virginia,  -    - 

- 

7 

(C 

LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

24Y 

Wabash,  -     - 

- 

47  guns. 

Whitehead,   -     - 

4  guns. 

Wyandotte,  - 

- 

5 

u 

Wampanoag, 

8     " 

Wyoming,     - 

- 

7 

a 

Wanaloset,    -     - 

8     " 

Wachusett,   - 

- 

10 

u 

Watauga,      -     - 

8     " 

Wissahickon, 

- 

5 

a 

Willamette,  -     - 

8     " 

Winona,  -     - 

- 

4 

u 

Yantic,     -     -     - 

5     " 

Wamsutta,    - 

- 

5 

u 

Young  Rover,    - 

5     " 

Western  World, 

5 

a 

Zouave,    -     -     - 

(( 

lEON-OLAD 

STEAMEES. 

Agamenticus, 

- 

4  guns. 

Essex,      -    -    - 

7  guns. 

Atlanta,   -    - 

4 

a 

Eastport,  -     -     - 

8     " 

Benton,    -     - 

16 

C£ 

Etlah,       -    -    - 

2     " 

Chilicotlie,     - 

3 

u 

Galena,    -    -     - 

7    " 

Chickasaw,   - 

2 

u 

Kickapoo,      -     -- 

4    " 

CatskilT,   -    - 

3 

a 

Kalamazoo,  -     - 

4    " 

Camanche,    - 

2 

(( 

Klamath,       -     - 

2     " 

Cincinnati,    - 

13 

li 

Kaka,       -     -     - 

3     " 

Carondelet,   - 

13 

u 

Louisville,     -    - 

13     " 

Canonicus,    - 

2 

a 

Lexington,    -    - 

7    " 

Catawba, 

2 

(( 

Lehigh,    -    -    - 

2     " 

Casko,      -     - 

2 

u 

Mound  City,      - 

13     « 

Chimo,     -     - 

2 

a 

Marietta,  -     -     - 

2     " 

Choctaw,  -     - 

8 

u 

Milwaukee,  -     - 

4    " 

Cohoes,    -    - 

2 

u 

Montauk,      -    - 

2     « 

Dictator,  -    - 

2 

u 

Manhattan,   -    - 

2     " 

Dunderberg, 

10 

a 

Mahopac,      -    - 

2    " 

248 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 


ManaTTink    -     - 

2  guns. 

Sandusky,     -     - 

2  guns, 

Monadnock,  -     - 

4 

a 

Sangamon,    -     - 

2 

u 

Miantonomoli,    - 

4 

u 

Saugus,    -    -     - 

2 

c; 

Modoc,     -     -     - 

2 

a 

Shakamaxon,     - 

4 

(( 

Mohongo,      -     - 

— 

a 

Shamokin,    -     - 

— 

(( 

Muscoota,     -     - 

— 

a 

Shawnee,      -     - 

2 

a 

Nantucket,    -     - 

2 

a 

Shiloh,     -    -     - 

2 

a 

Nahant,    -     -     - 

2 

li 

Suncook,  -    -    - 

2 

u 

Neosho,'  -     -     - 

2 

u 

Squando,  -     -     - 

— 

u 

New  Ironsides,  - 

20 

a 

Suwanee,      -     - 

— 

ii 

Napa,       -     -     - 

2 

a 

Tuscumbia,  -     - 

5 

u 

Naubuc,  -     -     - 

2 

a 

Tippecanoe,  -     - 

2 

a 

Nausett,  -     -     - 

2 

a 

Tonawandab,     - 

4 

4C 

Ozark,      -     -     - 

2 

a 

Tecumseb,    -     - 

2 

«t 

Osage,      -    -     - 

2 

a 

Umpqua,  -     -     - 

2 

a 

Onondaga,     -     - 

4 

(( 

Winnebago,  -     - 

4 

a 

Oneoto,    -     -     - 

2 

(( 

Weehawken, 

2 

u 

Patapsco,      -     - 

2 

u 

Wassuc,  -     -     - 

2 

(C 

Passaic,    -    -     - 

2 

a 

"Watauga,      -     - 

8 

u 

Puritan,   -     -     - 

4 

a 

Water ee,  -    -     - 

8 

(( 

Pittsburg,      -     - 

12 

a 

Waxsaw,  -     -     - 

2 

u 

Passaconaway,  - 

4 

(( 

Winnipec,     -     - 

— 

(( 

Quinsigamond,  - 

4 

a 

Yazoo,     -     -     - 

2 

(( 

Roanoke,       -     - 

6 

u 

Yuma,      -     -     - 

2 

u 

I  shall  let  you  reckon  both  the  number  of  these  ships 
and  of  the  guns  they  carried.  Since  the  catalogue  was 
made,  a  few  months  since,  changes  have  occurred,  and 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  249 

will  continue  to  take  place  by  losses  and  additions. 
How  curious  is  the  variety  of  names !  The  seceded 
States,  the  Indians,  the  ladies,  each  share  in  the  honors 
of  the  navy,  so  far  as  this  is  concerned.  Think  of  the 
work  the  quiet  propeller  which  the  British  Admiralty  re- 
jected, is  doing  fo'r  the  Republic  alone  !  Has  not  the 
miner-boy  "  paid  his  way"  in  the  "new  world"? 

Some  reader  may  inquire,  "  What  does  the  Govern- 
ment pay  the  officers  of  the  navy,  who  live  so  much  of 
the  time  on  the  sea?"  The  wages  given  below,  from 
those  of  the  rear-admiral  to  the  "boys,"  are  taken  from 
Mr.  McKean's  Annals  of  the  Navy  : 

Per  annum. 
Bear  Admirals  {Active  lAst). 

When  at  sea $5,000 

When  on  shore  duty 4,000 

On  leaVe  or  waiting  orders 3,000 

On  Retired  List 2,000 

Commodores  {Active  List). 

When  at  sea 4,000 

When  on  shore  duty 3,200 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 2,400 

On  Retired  lAst 1,800 

Captains  {Active  List). 

When  at  sea 3,500 

When  on  shore  duty. 2,800 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 2,100 

On  Retired  List 1,600 

11* 


250  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON". 

Commanders  {Active  List).  Per  anmun. 

When  at  sea $2,800 

When  on  shore  duty 2,240 

On  leave  or  waitmg  orders. 1,680 

On  Retired  List 1,400 

Lieutenant  Commanders  {Active  List). 

When  at  sea 2,343 

When  on  shore  duty 1,8'75 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 1,500 

On  Retired  lAst 1,300 

Lieutenants  {Active  LAst) 

When  at  sea IjSYS 

When  on  shore  duty 1,500 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 1,200 

On  Retired  List 1,000 

Masters  {Active  List). 

When  at  sea 1,500 

When  on  shore  duty 1,200 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 960 

On  Retired  LAst 800 

Ensigns  {Active  LAst). 

When  at  sea 1,200 

When  on  shore  duty 960 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders '768 

On  Retired  LAst 500 

Midshipmen 500 

Fleet  Surgeons 3,300 

Burgeons — On  duty  at  sea — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. . .  2,200 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon,  2,400 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. .  2,600 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  251 

Per  annum. 
For  fourth  five  years  after  date  of '00111011331011  as  surgeon,$2,800 

For  twenty  years  and  upwards  after  date  of  commission. . .  3,000 
On  other  duty — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. . .  2,000 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon,  2,200 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon . .  2,400 

For  fourth  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. .  2,600 

For  twenty  years  and  upwards  after  date  of  commission. . .  2,800 
On  leave  or  waiting  orders — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. . .  1,600 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon,  1,800 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. .  1,900 

For  fourth  five  years  after  date  of  commission  as  surgeon. .  2,100 

For  twenty  years  and  upwards  after  date  of  commission. .  2,300 

Retired  Surgeons — 

Surgeons  ranking  with  commanders 1,100 

Surgeons  ranking  with  heutenants 1,000 

Eetieed  Passed  and  Assistant  Surgeons — 

Passed 850 

Assistant 650 

Passed  Ass-i-stant  Surgeons — 

On  duty  at  sea 1,500 

On  other  duty ' 1,400 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 1,100 

Assistant  Surgeons — 

On  duty  at  sea 1,250 

On  other  duty 1,050 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 800 

Paymasters — On  duty  at  sea 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,000 


252  LIFE  OF  JOHN  EEICSSON. 

Per  annum. 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission $2,400 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,600 

For  fourth  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,900 

For  twenty  years  and  upwards  afterdate  of  commission. .  3,100 

On  other  duty — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,800 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,100 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,400 

For  fourth  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,600 

For  twenty  years  and  upwards  after  date  of  commission. .  2,800 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,400 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,600 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,800 

For  fourth  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,000 

For  twenty  years  and  upwards  after  date  of  commission. .  2,250 
Paymasters  Retired  [Underacts  of  Aug.  3  and  Dec.  21, 1861] — 

Ranking  with  captains 1,300 

Ranking  with  c^^^manders 1,100 

Ranking  with  heutenants 1,000 

Assistant  Paymasters — On  duty  at  sea — 

First  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,300 

.   After  five  years  from  date  of  commission 1,500 

On  other  duty — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,000 

After  five  years  from  date  of  commission 1,200 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders — 

First  five  years  after  date  of  commission 800 

After  five  years  from  date  of  commission 1,000 

Chaplains — To  be  paid  as  lieutenants. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   EKIC8S0N.  253 

Professors  of  Mathematics —  l*cr  annum. 

On  duty $1,800 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 960 

Boatswain,  Gunners,  Carpenters,  and  Sailmakers — 

On  duty  at  sea — 

For  first  three  years'  sea-service  from  date  of  appointment,*  1,000 
For  second  three  years'  sea-service  from  date  of  appomt- 

ment 1,150 

For  third  three  years'  sea-service  from  date  of  appointment,  1,250 

For  fourth  three  years'  sea-service  from  date  of  appointment,  1,350 

For  twelve  years'  sea-service  and  upwards 1,450 

On  other  duty — 
For  first  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appointment,  800 
For  second  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appoint- 
ment   900 

For  third  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appointment,  1,000 

For  fourth  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appointment,  1,100 

For  twelve  years'  sea-service  and  upwards 1,200 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders — 

For  first  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appointment,  600 
For  second  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appoint- 
ment   '700 

For  third  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appointment,  800 

For  fourth  three  years'  sea-service  after  date  of  appointment,  900 

For  twelve  years'  sea-service  and  upwards 1,000 

Chief  Engineers — On  duty — 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,800 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,200 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission 2,450 

After  fifteen  years  from  date  of  commission 2,600 

*  Act  of  July  15, 1863. 


254:  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSOK. 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders —  ^^^  ammm. 

For  first  five  years  after  date  of  commission $1,200 

For  second  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,300 

For  third  five  years  after  date  of  commission 1,400 

After  fifteen  years  from  date  of  commission 1,500 

First  Assistant  Engineers — 

On  duty 1,250 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 900 

Second  Assistant  Engineers — 

On  duty 1,000 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 750 

Third  Assistant  Engineers — 

On  duty 750 

On  leave  or  waiting  orders 600 

Navy  Agents,  commissions  not  to  exceed 3,000 

Navy  Agent  at  San  Francisco 4,000 

Temporary  Navy  Agents. 

Natal  Storekeepers 

Officers  of  the  navy  on  foreign  stations 1,500 

Engineer-in-Chiep 3,000 

Naval  Constructors 2,600 

Naval  Constructors,  when  not  on  duty 1,800 

Secretaries  to  commanders  of  squadrons 1,500 

Clerks  to  commanders  of  squadrons  and  commanders  of  vessels,      500 

'       At  navy-yards  Boston  and  New  York 1,200 

At  navy-yard  Washington 1,200 

At  navy-yards  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  Philadelphia 1,200 

At  navy-yard  Mare  Island 1,500 

First  Clerks  to  commandants — 

At  Boston  and  New  York 1,200 

At  Washington ; . .  1,200 


LIFE  OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  255 

Per  annum. 

At  Portsmouth  and  Philadelphia $1, 200 

At  Mare  Island 1,500 

Second  Clerks  to  commandants — 

At  Boston,  New  York,  and  Washington 960 

Clerks — 

To  paymasters  in  ships-of-the-line .'....      VOO 

To  paymasters  in  frigates 600 

To  paymasters  in  smaller  vessels  than  a  frigate , .      400 

To  paymasters  at  navy-yards 500 

Yeomen—  Per  month, 

In  ships-of-the-line $45  00 

In  frigates 40  00 

In  sloops '. SO  00 

In  smaller  vessels 24  00 

Armorers — 

In  ships-of-the-line 30  00 

In  frigates 25  00 

In  sloops , 20  00 

Mates — 

Master's  (acting) 40  00 

Boatswain's 25  00 

Gunner's 25  00 

Carpenter's 25  00 

Saihnaker's 20  00 

Armorer's 20  00 

Master-at-Arms 25  00 

Ship's  Corporals ; .'. 20  00 

Coxswains 24  00 

Quartermasters 24  00  ■ 

Quarter-Gunners 20  00 


256  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSOI^. 

Captains —  Per  month. 

Of  forecastle $24  00 

Of  tops,  afterguard,  and  hold,  each 20  00 

Coopers 20  00 

Painters 20  00 

Stewards — 

Ship's 30  00 

Officers' 20  00 

Surgeons,  where  ship's  complement  is  400  and  over 40  00 

Surgeons  where  ship's  complement  is  200  and  imder  400,  33  00 

Surgeons,  where  ship's  complement  is  under  200 25  00 

Paymasters,  where  complement  is  240  and  over 33  00 

Assistant  paymasters,  where  complement  is  100  and  over,  33  00 

Assistant  paymasters,  where  complement  is  under  100 ...  30  00 

Nurses — 

Where  complement  is  less  than  200,  one  nurse. 14  00 

Where  complement  is  over  200,  two  nurses,  each 14  00 

Cooks — 

Ship's 24  00 

Officer's 20  00 

Masters  op  the  Band 20  00 

Musicians — 

First  class 16  00 

Second  class 12  00 

Seamen 18  00 

Ordinary  Seamen 14  00 

Landsmen 12  00 

Boys 8  00  and  9  00 

Firemen — 

First  class 30  00 

Second  class 25  00 

Coal-Heaveb3 18  00 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  257 

You  will  be  interested  in  a  new  form  of  a  propeller 
vessel,  in  the  first  voyage  of  which  a  brave  boy  is  no 
mean  actor.  The  story  is  told  by  one  of  the  few  permit- 
ted to  see  and  know  all  about  it : 

"  On  November  25,  1864,  the  StromhoU  made  an  ex- 
perimental trial  trip  to  thoroughly  test  all  of  her  machinery, 
and  on  Saturday  she  took  her  departure  from  these  waters 
for  the  purpose  of  making  her  debut  upon  the  stage  of 
active  operations,  and,  we  may  be  permitted  to  say,  to 
fully  demonstrate  the  power,  efficiency,  and  destructive- 
ness  of  the  new  system  of  naval  warfare.  Before  we 
proceed  to  describe  the  trial  trip,  let  us  first  give  a  brief 
outline  of  the  history  of  the  vessel,  and  even  go  back  to 
the  inception  of  the  idea. 

"  Several  years  ago,  "William  W.  "W.  Wood,  the  pres- 
ent Senior  Chief  l&ngineer  to  the  United  States  Navy, 
conceived  the  idea  of  using  the  sub-marine  torpedo  in  a 
manner  not  formerly  experimented  upon  or  known.  As 
time  passed,  the  simplicity  and  perfect  working  of  his 
plans  became  so  patent  that  he  felt  satisfied  in  his  mind 
that  it  would  perform  the  work  required  beyond  a  doubt. 
Less  than  two  years  ago,  the  subject  was  casually  brought 
to  the  notice  of  Admiral  Gregory,  who  immediately  urged 
upon  the  Navy  Department  the  appointment  of  a  Board 
of  Examiners  to  inquire  into  the  merits  of  the  invention, 
and  report  upon  the  same.  This  Board,  composed  of 
some  of  the  most  practical  officers  in  the  service,  gave  the 


258  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

subject  a  very  careM  examination,  and  unanimously  re- 
ported in  its  favor,  recommending  the  construction  of  a 
vessel  to  fully  demonstrate  the  idea.  The  Navy  Depart- 
ment, alive  to  the  great  importance  of  the  system,  immedi- 
ately ordered  the  construction  of  what  is  now  the  StromhoU. 
"  First  Assistant  Engineer  John  L.  Lacy,  a  young 
officer  who  had  also  been  investigating  the  subject  of  tor- 
pedo warfare,  was  selected  to  superintend  the  construction 
of  the  vessel  and  her  machinery.  As  it  was  necessary  to 
keep  the  matter  quiet  and  beyond  the  inquisitive  eyes  of 
traitors  and  foreign  emissaries,  the  huU  was  built  at  Fair 
Haven,  Connecticut,  the  engines  at  Mystic,  Conn.,  and 
the  torpedo  machinery  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
Samuel  H.  Pook,  a  young  and  skilful  naval  architect, 
was  selected  to  build  the  huU,  the  Reliance  Machine  Com- 
pany the  propelling  engines,  and  Cute  Brothers  the  tor- 
pedo machinery,  and  Benjamin  and  Root  the  torpedo 
engine,  and  in  this  way  the  work  was  distributed  so  that 
it  was  not  easy  for  the  inquisitive  to  put  all  the  parts  to- 
gether and  be  much  the  wiser.  After  she  was  launched 
she  was  towed  to  Mystic,  and  there  received  her  boiler  and 
engines ;  from  thence  she  came  over  to  Messrs.  Secor's 
yard  at  Jersey  City,  where  she  received  her  deck  plating, 
pilot-house,  and  her  final  completion.  Such  is  the  brief 
history  of  the  inception  and  production  of  the  first  torpedo 
boat  of  the  United  States  Navy,  designed,  built,  and  sailed 
by  native-born  citizens. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  259 

"  The  First  Experimental  Trial  Trip. — On  Fri- 
day, the  25th  instant,  the  little  StromhoU  made  her  experi- 
mental trial  trip  to  test  her  propulsive  and  torpedo  engines. 
She  left  the  wharf  at  the  Secor  yard  about  11  o'clock,  a.  m., 
and  under  the  pilotage  of  Captain  John  McGinn,  pro- 
ceeded up  the  Hudson  River  some  distance,  making  an 
average  speed  of  nine  knots  per  hour,  and  steering  beau- 
tifully from  on  top  of  the  pilot-house  as  well  as  from 
below  decks.  After  some  tests  of  the  propulsive  machinery, 
it  was  decided  to  fire  a  '  Wood  torpedo,'  of  the  same  pat- 
tern as  was  furnished  to,  and  used  with  such  success  by 
Lieutenant  Gushing  in  the  destruction  of  the  rebel  ram 
Albemarle. 

"  Test  or  the  Fifty-potjnder  Torpedo. — This  tor- 
pedo was  charged  with  only  forty-eight  pounds  of  powder, 
and  was  placed  in  the  basket,  run  out,  detached,  and 
when  at  a  given  point,  about  one  foot  below  the  surface 
of  the  water,  it  was  exploded,  less  than  two  a  half  min- 
utes being  consumed  in  the  whole  operation.  The  explo- 
sion and  the  peculiar  appearance  of  the  column  of  water 
thrown  up  by  the  torpedo  can  be  but  illy  described  with  a 
pen  ;  instantaneous  photography  might  have  done  it,  but 
no  painter  could  have  depicted  the  scene  with  justice. 
The  water  was  thrown  up  about  one  hundred  and  eighty 
feet  in  a  perpendicular  column,  which  measured  about  ten 
feet  in  diameter. 

'^  Branching  off  from    the  main  column  were  thick 


260  LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

jets  of  heavy  spray,  or  rather  broad  sheets  of  showy  white 
water,  which  the  breeze  bore  back  upon  the  deck  of  the 
vessel.  Around  this  huge  column  of  water,  and  mingling 
with  the  jets,  the  whitish  fantastic  clouds  of  powder  smoke 
circled,  making  a  beautiful  picture,  ever  changing  and 
passing  away  in  a  brief  space  of  time.  The  torpedo  when 
exploded  was  only  fifteen  feet  distant  from  the  bow  of  the 
vessel,  and  the  shock  as  felt  on  board  was  very  sKght  in- 
deed.    Every  one  was  chai'med  with  the  experiment. 

"  Trial  of  the  Sixty-Pounder  Toepedo. — It  was 
now  decided  to  try  a  torpedo  placed  twenty  feet  below  the 
surface  of  the  water,  and  about  the  same  distance  from 
the  bow  of  the  vessel ;  this  torpedo  contained  sixty  pounds 
of  powder,  and  was  placed  in  position  as  in  the  former 
experiment,  but  was  exploded  by  Beardsley's  magnetic 
electro-machines,  a  beautiful  specimen  of  art.  The  ex- 
plosion at  this  time  produced  different  results  and  still 
more  interesting.  The  water  was  thirty  feet  deep,  and 
the  torpedo  at  the  instant  of  explosion  was  ten  feet  from 
the  bed  of  the  river,  consequently  it  was  a  trifle  longer 
before  the  tremendous  result  made  itself  manifest.  When 
it  did  come  it  was  awfully  grand,  a  black  cone  surmount- 
ing a  blacker  column  arose  from  the  surface  and  quickly 
mounted  aloft,  at  least  three  score  feet,  being  twenty  feet 
in  diameter  and  thick  with  mud.  The  muddy  jets  did  not 
leave  the  column  quite  as  soon  as  in  the  former  experi- 
ment, but  the  white  smoke  curling  around  the  dark  centre 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  2G1 

column  made  a  picture  novel,  and  at  the  same  time  one 
which  a  reflecting  mind  could  not  fail  to  be  awed  with. 

*'  It  presented  an  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  power 
which  the  machine  possessed  for  harm,  and  which  at  times 
lying  dormant  could  be  roused  in  an  incalculable  space 
of  time,  and  let  loose  for  destruction  of  life  and  property. 
The  shock  of  this  torpedo  was  felt  over  a  space  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  in  diameter ;  it  lifted,  or  felt 
as  if  it  did,  the  bow  of  the  vessel  about  nine  inches,  but 
produced  no  unpleasant  sensation.  Space  prevents  us 
from  going  into  the  details  of  the  sensation  experienced 
while  witnessing  these  experiments.  We  are  satisfied 
that  this  vessel,  for  destructive  purposes,  has  no  equal  in 
the  world.  No  iron-clad  can  withstand  its  power.  It  is 
perfectly  safe  to  operate  in,  and  the  nearer  she  approaches 
an  enemy  the  safer  she  becomes,  while  every  foot  nearer 
she  approaches  her  victim,  only  hastens  the  time  of  her 
certain  destruction.  The  experiments  being  over  the 
StromhoU  and  her  consort,  Picket  Boat  No.  6,  steamed 
back  to  their  stations. 

"  Depaktuke  of  the  '  Steomboli.' — Saturday,  26th 
November,  was  the  time  announced  for  her  departure, 
and  by  two  o'clock  every  thing  was  in  readiness  save  a 
few  trifiing  details.  The  crew  was  selected  from  on 
board  of  the  Vermont,  and  so  great  was  the  desire  to  go 
in  her  manifested,  that  '  all  hands  and  the  cook '  volun- 
teered, and  earnestly  entreated  to  be  allowed  to  serve  in 


262  LIFE   OF   JOHIT   EEICSSOIS'. 

the  torpedo  boat.  Seven  men  were  selected,  and  with 
bag  and  hamnioek  were  soon  on  board  of  picket  boat  No. 
6,  in  charge  of  Engtaeer  Griffin,  and  en  route  for  Jersey- 
City.  On  arriving  the  crew  were  transferred  to  the 
Stromboli^  and  a  prouder  list  of  fellows  could  not  be  found 
for  miles  around.  More  than  one  volunteer  presented 
himself  at  the  dock,  being  a^Lxious  to  go  in  her.  One 
young  lad,  named  Edwin  Booth,  pressed  so  hard  that  he 
was  permitted  to  go.  The  joy  and  happiness  depicted  on 
the  face  of  this  lad  when  he  received  permission  was  of  a 
character  seldom  seen.  We  shall  hear  of  that  boy  one  of 
these  days. 

"'  As  the  pubHc  (designedly)  had  not  been  notified  of 
the  time  or  place  of  departure,  only  a  few  persons  were 
present.  Among  those  on  board  we  noticed  Captain 
Boggs,  Chief  Engiueer  Wood,  W.  H.  Webb,  Engineer 
•Hall,  Donald  McKay  and  Mr.  Winters,  of  Boston ;  aU 
the  Messrs.  Secor,  Captain  Woolsey,  Mr.  Birkbeck,  Mr. 
Dunham,  and  perhaps  half  a  dozen  others. 

^'  At  half-past  three  o'clock  the  vessel  was  put  in  com- 
mission by  the  commanding  officer,  with  the  following  list 
of  officers  and  crew : — First  Assistant  Engineer,  John  L. 
Lay,  commanding  ;  Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Charles 
H.  Stone,  J.  B.  Chadwick,  John  Smith  ;  Third  Assistant 
Engineer,  Byron  S.  Heath ;  Quartermaster,  Benjamin 
Baker  ;  Seaman,  John  Bristol ;  First-class  Firemen,  Wil- 
liam Bane,  W.  Lowry ;   Second-class  Fireman,  William 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  263 

Muller ;  Coal  heavers,  D.  Coleman,  D.  Johnson ;  Lands- 
men, J.  Thomas  (colored),  Edwin  Booth,  volunteer. 

"  About  this  time  picket  boat  No.  6  took  her  departure 
for  the  canal.  She  would  await  the  arrival  of  the  Strom' 
holi  at  New  Brunswick.  At  about  four  o'clock  the 
Stromboli,  convoyed  by  the  tug  John  T,  Jenkins^  took 
their  departure,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  little  crowd  of 
spectators.  They  entered  the  canal  about  dark,  and  ar- 
rived at  New  Brunswick  on  Sunday,  en  route  for  Hampton 
Eoads." 

Here  is  the  story  of  a  "  new  Cassabianca" — a  boy  too 
young  to  know  much  about  the  real  cause  of  the  fearful 
war.  The  scene  occurred  on  board  the  "  Harriet  Lane," 
at  Galveston,  Texas : 

"  Almost  the  first  men  struck  down  were  the  gallant 
Captain  "Wainwright  and  Lieutenant  Lee,  who  both  fought, 
says  an  eye-witness,  with  a  desperation  and  valor  that  no 
mortal  could  surpass.  He  saw  them  bleeding  and  pros- 
trate upon  the  deck,  still  dealing  death  among  their  ene- 
mies. One  young  son  of  Captain  Wainwright — only  ten 
years  old,  just  think  of  it ! — stood  at  the  cabin  door,  a 
revolver  in  each  hand,  and  never  ceased  firing  until  he 
had  expended  every  shot.  One  of  his  poor  little  hands 
was  disabled  by  a  ball,  shattering  his  four  fingers,  and 
then  his  infantile  soul  gave  way  ;  he  burst  into  tears,  and 
cried :  '  Do  you  want  to  kill  me  ? '  Darling  young  hero 
— may  his   country  never  forget   him !     Where  is   the 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON. 


Hemans  to  wed  his  name  to  immortal  verse,  like  another 
Cassabianca  ?  Philanthropists,  whose  hearts  are  yearning 
for  something  to  love,  here  is  a  noble  orphan  boy  on 
whom  to  lavish  your  care." 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


Our  Knowledge  of  the  Sea— Curious  Traditions — The  "  World  of  Waters  "— 
Eobert  Fulton  and  John  Ericsson — The  Futxixe— Great  Battles — The 
Mother's  Lament. 


.APTAIN  ERICSSON'S  life  is  so  associated  with 
the  ocean,  and  likely  to  be  identified  with  all 
progress  there,  that  a  glance  at  the  shadowy 
past  will  give  interest  to  the  present  and  future 
history  of  the  "  wide,  wide  sea."  And  as  you 
read  you  will  ask  yourself,  what  would  those  credulous 
ancients  have  thought  to  see  the  "  Flying  Devil,"  a  Caloric 
Engine,  or  even  a  locomotive  in  motion.  Forcibly  writes 
one  who  has  wielded  his  pen  for  the  entertainment  of 
boys : * 

"  In  early  times,  in  the  scriptural  and  classic  periods, 
the  great  oceans  were  unknown.  Mankind — at  least  that 
portion  whose  history  has  descended  to  us — dwelt  upon 
the  borders  of  an  inland,  mediterranean  sea.     They  had 

*  F.  B.  Goodrich. 
12 


236  LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON. 

never  heard  of  such  an  expanse  of  water  as  the  Atlantic, 
and  certainly  had  never  seen  it.  The  land-locked  sheet 
which  lay  spread  out  at  their  feet  was  at  all  times  full  of 
mystery,  and  often  even  of  dread  and  secret  misgiving. 
Those  who  ventured  forth  upon  its  bosom  came  home  and 
told  marvellous  tales  of  the  sights  they  had  seen  and  the 
perils  they  had  endured.  Homer's  heroes  returned  to 
Ithaca  with  the  music  of  the  sirens  in  their  ears  and  the 
cruelties  of  the  giants  upon  their  lips.  The  Argonauts 
saw  whirling  rocks  implanted  in  the  sea,  to  warn  and 
repel  the  -approaching  navigator ;  and,  as  if  the  mystery 
of  the  waters  had  tinged  with  fable  even  the  dry  land  be- 
yond it,  they  filled  the  Caucasus  with  wild  stories  of  en- 
chantresses, of  bulls  that  breathed  fire,  and  of  a  race  of 
men  that  sprang,  like  a  ripened  harvest,  from  the  prolific 
soil.  If  the  ancients  were  ignorant  of  the  shape  of  the 
earth,  it  was  for  the  very  reason  that  they  were  ignorant 
of  the  ocean.  Their  geographers  and  philosophers,  whose 
observations  were  confined  to  fragments  of  Europe,  Asia, 
and  Africa,  alternately  made  the  world  a  cylinder,  a  flat 
surface  begirt  by  water,  a  drum,  a  boat,  a  disk.  The 
legends  that  sprang  from  these  confused  and  contradictory 
notions  made  the  land  a  scene  of  marvels  and  the  water 
an  abode  of  terrors. 

"  At  a  later  period,  when,  with  the  progress  of  time, 
the  love  of  adventure  or  the  needs  of  commerce  had  drawn 
the  navigator  from  the  Mediterranean  through  the  Pillars 


LEFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  26Y 

of  Hercules  into  the  Atlantic,  and  when  some  conception 
of  the  immensity  of  the  waters  had  forced  itself  upon 
minds  dwarfed  by  the  contracted  limits  of  the  inland  sea, 
then  the  ocean  became  in  good  earnest  a  receptacle  of 
gloomy  and  appalling  horrors,  and  the  marvels  narrated 
by  those  fortunate  enough  to  return  told  how  deeply  the 
imagination  had  been  stirred  by  the  new  scenes  opened  to 
their  vision.  Pytheas,  who  coasted  from  Marseilles  to 
the  Shetland  Isles,  and  who  there  obtained  a  glance  at 
the  bleak  and  wintry  desolation  of  the  North  Sea,  declared, 
on  reaching  home,  that  his  further  progress  was  barred 
by  an  immense  black  mollusk,  which  hung  suspended  in 
the  air,  and  in  which  a  ship  would  be  inextricably  in- 
volved, and  where  no  man  could  breathe.  The  menaces 
of  the  South  were  even  more  appalling  than  the  perils  of 
the  North  ;  for  he  who  should  venture,  it  was  said,  across 
the  equator  into  the  regions  of  the  Sun,  would  be  changed 
into  a  negro  for  his  rashness  :  besides,  in  the  popular  be- 
lief, the  waters  there  were  not  navigable.  Upon  the 
quaint  charts  of  the  Middle  Ages,  a  giant  located  upon 
the  Canary  Islands  forbade  aU  further  venture  westward, 
by  brandishing  his  formidable  club  in  the  path  of  all  ves- 
sels coming  from  the  east.  Upon  these  singular  maps 
the  concealed  and  treacherous  horrors  of  the  deep  were 
displayed  in  the  grotesque  shapes  of  sea-monsters  and  dis- 
torted water  unicorns,  which  were  represented  as  career- 
ing tlirough  space  and.  waylaying  the  navigator.     Even 


268  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

in  the  time  of  Columbus,  and  when  the  introduction  of  the 
compass  into  European  ships  should  have  somewhat  di- 
minished the  fantastic  terrors  of  the  sea,  we  find  that  the 
Arabians,  the  best  geographers  of  the  time,  represented  the 
bony  and  gnarled  hand  of  Satan  as  rising  from  the  waves 
of  the  Sea  of  Darkness — as  the  Atlantic  was  then  called — 
ready  to  seize  and  engulf  the  presumptuous  mariner. 
The  sailors  of  Columbus,  on  reaching  the  Sargasso  Sea, 
where  the  collected  weeds  offered  an  impediment  to  their 
progress,  thought  they  had  arrived  at  the  limit  of  naviga- 
tion and  the  end  of  the  world.  Five  years  later  the  crew 
of  da  Gama,  on  doubling  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  im- 
agined they  saw,  in  the  threatening  clouds  that  gathered 
about  Table  Rock,  the  form  of  a  spectre  waving  off  their 
vessel  and  crying  woe  to  all  who  should  thus  invade  his 
dread  dominion. 

"And  now  Columbus  had  discovered  the  Western 
Continent,  da  Gama  had  found  an  ocean  route  to  the 
Indies,  and  Magellan,  sailing  around  the  world,  had 
proved  its  spericity,  and  approached  the  Spice  Islands 
from  the  east.  For  centuries,  now,  the  two  great  oceans 
were  the  scenes  of  grand  and  useful  maritime  expeditions. 
The  tropical  islands  of  the  Pacific  arose,  one  by  one,  from 
the  bosom  of  the  sea,  to  reward  the  navigator  or  relieve 
the  outcast.  The  Spanish,  by  dint  of  cruelty  and  rapacity, 
filled  their  famous  Manilla  galleons  and  Acapulco  treasure- 
ships  with  the  spoils  of  warfare  and  the  legitimate  fruits 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  269 

of  trade.  The  English,  seeking  to  annoy  a  nation  with 
whom,  though  not  at  war,  they  were  certainly  not  at 
peace,  sent  against  their  golden  fleets  the  piratical  squad- 
rons of  Anson,  Drake,  and  Hawkins.  For  years  prop- 
erty was  not  safe  upon  the  sea,  and  trading-ships  went 
armed,  while  the  armed  vessels  of  nations  turned  buc- 
caneers. The  Portuguese  and  Dutch  colonized  the  coasts 
and  islands  of  India,  Spain  sent  Cortez  and  Pizarro  to 
Mexico  and  Peru,  and  England  drove  the  Puritans  across 
a  stormy  sea  to  Plymouth.  Commerce  was  spread  over 
the  world,  and  Civilization  and  Christianity  were  intro- 
duced into  the  desert  and  the  wilderness. 

"  If  the  distances  be  considered,  the  sea  is  the  safest 
and  most  commodious  route  from  spot  to  spot,  whether 
for  merchandise  or  man.  It  has  given  up  its  secrets,  with 
perhaps  the  single  exception  of  its  depth,  and,  like  the 
lightning  and  the  thunderbolt,  has  submitted  to  the  yoke. 
Though  still  sublime  in  its  immensity  and  its  power,  it 
has  lost  those  features  of  character  which  once  made  it 
mysterious  and  fantastic,  and  has  become  the  sober  and 
humdrum  pathway  of  traffic.  Mail-routes  are  as  dis- 
tinctly marked  upon  its  surface  as  the  equator,  or  the 
meridian  of  Greenwich:  steamships  leave  their  docks 
punctually  at  the  stroke  of  noon.  The  monsters  that 
plough  its  waters  have  been  hunted  by  man  till  the  race 
is  weU-nigh  exhausted ;  for  the  leviathan  which  frightened 
the  ancients  is  the  whale  which  has  illuminated  the  mod- 


270  LITE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

ems.  The  chant  of  the  sirens  is  hushed,  and  in  its  place 
are  heard  the  clatter  of  rushing  paddle-wheels,  the  fog- 
whistle  on  the  banks,  the  song  of  the  forecastle,  the  yo-ho 
of  sailors  toiling  at  the  ropes,  the  salute  in  mid-ocean — 
sometimes,  alas !  the  minute-gun  at  sea.  The  romance 
and  fable  that  once  had  here  their  chosen  home,  have  fled 
to  the  caves  and  taken  refuge  amid  the  grottos  ;  and  the 
legends  that  were  lately  told  of  the  ocean  would  now  be 
out  of  place  even  in  a  graveyard  or  a  haunted  house. 

'^  The  sailor,  to  whom  once  the  route  was  trackless 
and  untrodden,  now  consults  a  volume  of  charts  which  he 
has  obtained  from  the  National  Observatory,  and  finds  his 
course  laid  out  upon  data  derived  from  analogy  and  oft- 
repeated  experience.  He  takes  this  or  that  direction  in 
accordance  with  known  facts  of  the  prevalence  of  winds 
or  the  motion  of  currents.  He  keeps  a  record  of  his  own 
experience,  that  in  its  turn  it  may  be  useful  to  others. 
He  has  plans  and  surveys  which  give  him  the  bearings  of 
every  port,  the  indentations  of  every  coast,  the  soundings 
of  every  pass.  Beacons  warn  him  of  reefs  and  sunken 
rocks,  and  buoys  mark  out  his  course  through  the  shallows 
of  sounds  and  straits.  A  modern  light-house  costs  a  mil- 
lion dollars,  and  a  breakwater  involves  the  finances  of  a 
state.  If  a  new  light-house  is  erected,  or  is  the  warning 
lamp  for  any  reason  discontinued,  upon  any  coast,  the  fact 
is  made  known  to  the  commerce  of  all  nations  by  a  '  Notice 
to  Mariners,*  inserted  in  the  marine  department  of  the 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  271 

newspapers  most  likely  to  meet  their  eye.  A  vessel  at 
sea  is  safer  from  spoliation  than  is  the  traveller  upon  the 
high  road  or  the  sojourner  in  a  city  ;  for  there  are  robbers 
and  depredators  everywhere  upon  the  land,  while  there  ia 
not  a  pirate  on  the  ocean.  There  are  well-laden  treasure 
ships  in  the  Panama  and  California  waters,  as  in  the  times 
of  Drake  and  Anson  ;  but  the  world  is  much  older  than  it 
was,  and  buccaneers  and  filibusters  now  only  infest  the 
land. 

"  In  short,  the  ocean,  once  a  formidable  and  repellant 
element,  now  furnishes  Christian  food  and  healthful  em- 
ployment to  millions.  Instead  of  serving  to  affright  and 
appall  the  dwellers  upon  the  continents  which  it  sur- 
rounds, it  renders  their  atmosphere  more  respirable,  it 
affords  them  safe  conveyance,  and  raises  for  them  a  school 
of  heroes." 

We  add  a  fine  passage  from  Dr.  Greenwood's  "  Poetry 
and  Mystery  of  the  Sea,"  on  Old  Ocean  : 

"  '  The  sea  is  his,  and  He  made  it,'  cries  the  Psalmist 
of  Israel,  in  one  of  those  bursts  of  enthusiasm  in  which  he 
so  often  expresses  the  whole  of  a  vast  subject  by  a  few 
simple  words.  '  Whose  else,  indeed,  could  it  be,  and  by 
whom  else  could  it  have  been  made?  Who  else  can 
heave  its  tides  and  appoint  its  bounds?  Who  else  can 
urge  its  mighty  waves  to  madness  with  the  breath  and 
wings  of  the  tempest,  and  then  speak  to  it  again  in  a 
master's  accents  and  bid  it  be  still  ?     Who  else  could  have 


2t2  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSOK. 

peopled  it  with  its  countless  inhabitants,  and  caused  it  to 
bring  forth  its  various  productions,  and  filled  it  from  its 
deepest  bed  to  its  expanded  surface,  filled  it  from  its  centre 
to  its  remotest  shores,  filled  it  to  the  brim  with  beauty 
and  mystery  and  power?  Majestic  Ocean!  Glorious 
Sea  !     No  created  being  rules  thee  or  made  thee. 

"  What  is  there  more  sublime  than  the  trackless, 
desert,  all-surrounding,  unfathomable  sea  ?  What  is  there 
more  peacefully  sublime  than  the  calm,  gently-heaving, 
silent  sea  ?  What  is  there  more  terribly  sublime  than  the 
angry,  dashing,  foaming  sea?  Power — ^resistless,  over- 
whelming power — is  its  attribute  and  its  expression, 
whether  in  the  careless,  conscious  grandeur  of  its  deep 
rest,  or  the  wild  tumult  of  its  excited  wrath.  It  is  awfiil 
when  its  crested  waves  rise  up  to  make  a  compact  with 
the  black  clouds  and  the  howling  winds,  and  the  thunder 
and  the  thunderbolt,  and  they  sweep  on,  in  the  joy  of  their 
dread  alliance,  to  do  the  Almighty's  bidding.  And  it  is 
awful,  too,  when  it  stretches  its  broad  level  out  to  meet 
in  quiet  union  the  bended  sky,  and  show  in  the  line  of 
meeting  the  vast  rotundity  of  the  world.  There  is  majesty 
in  its  wide  expanse,  separating  and  enclosing  the  great 
continents  of  the  earth,  occupying  two-thirds  of  the  whole 
surface  of  the  globe,  penetrating  the  land  with  its  bays 
and  secondary  seas,  and  receiving  the  constantly-pouring 
tribute  of  every  river,  of  every  shore.  There  is  majesty 
in  its  fulness,  never  diminishing  and  never  increasing. 


LITE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  273 

Its  deptli  is  sublime  :  who  can  sound  it  ?  Its  strength  is 
sublime  :  what  fabric  of  man  can  resist  it?  Its  voice  is 
sublime,  whether  in  the  prolonged  song  of  its  ripple  or  the 
stern  music  of  its  roar — whether  it  utters  its  hollow  and 
melancholy  tones  within  a  labyrinth  of  wave-worn  caves, 
or  thunders  at  the  base  of  some  huge  promontory,  or  beats 
against  a  toiling  vessel's  sides,  lulling  the  voyager  to  rest 
with  the  strains  of  its  wild  monotony,  or  dies  away,  with 
the  calm  and  fading  twilight,  in  gentle  murmurs  on  some 
sheltered  shore. 

"The  sea  possesses  beauty,  in  richness,  of  its  own  ;  it 
borrows  it  from  earth,  and  air,  and  heaven.  The  clouds 
lend  it  the  various  dyes  of  their  wardrobe,  and  throw 
down  upon  it  the  broad  masses  of  their  shadows  as  they 
go  sailing  and  sweeping  by.  The  rainbow  laves  in  it  its 
many-colored  feet.  The  sun  loves  to  visit  it,  and  the 
moon  and  the  glittering  brotherhood  of  planets  and  stars, 
for  they  delight  themselves  in  its  beauty.  The  sunbeams 
return  from  it  in  showers  of  diamonds  and  glances  of  fire  ; 
the  moonbeams  find  in  it  a  pathway  of  silver,  where  they 
dance  to  and  fro,  with  the  breezes  and  the  waves,  through 
the  livelong  night.  It  has  a  light,  too,  of  its  own — a  soft 
and  sparkling  light,  rivalling  the  stars  ;  and  often  does  the 
ship  wliich  cuts  its  surface  leave  streaming  behind  a  MHky 
Way  of  dim  and  uncertaui  lustre,  like  that  which  is  shin- 
ing dimly  above.  It  harmonizes  in  its  forms  and  sounds 
both  with  the  night  and  the  day.  It  cheerftdly  reflects 
12* 


2Y4:  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

the  light,  and  it  unites  solemnly  with  the  darkness.  It 
imparts  sweetness  to  the  music  of  men,  and  grandeur  to 
the  thunder  of  heaven.  What  landscape  is  so  beautiful  as 
one  upon  the  borders  of  the  sea  ?  The  spirit  of  its  love- 
liness is  from  the  waters  where  it  dwells  and  rests,  sing- 
ing its  spells  and  scattering  its  charms  on  all  the  coasts. 
What  rocks  and  cliffs  are  so  glorious  as  those  which  are 
washed  by  the  chafing  sea  ?  What  groves  and  fields  and 
dwellings  are  so  enchanting  as  those  which  stand  by  the 
reflecting  sea? 

"  If  we  could  see  the  great  ocean  as  it  can  be  seen  by 
no  mortal  eye,  beholding  at  one  riew  what  we  are  now 
obliged  to  visit  in  detail  and  spot  by  spot — -if  we  could,  from 
a  flight  far  higher  than  the  eagle's,  view  the  immense  sur- 
face of  the  deep  all  spread  out  beneath  us  like  a  universal 
chart — what  an  infinite  variety  such  a  scene  would  dis- 
play !  Here  a  storm  would  be  raging,  the  thunder  burst- 
ing, the  waters  boiling,  and  rain  and  foam  and  fire  all 
mingling  together  ;  and  here,  next  to  this  scene  of  magni- 
ficent confusion,  we  should  see  the  bright  blue  waves 
glittering  in  the  sun  and  clapping  their  hands  for  very 
gladness.  Here  we  should  see  a  cluster  of  green  islands 
set  like  jewels  in  the  bosom  of  the  sea ;  and  there  we 
should  see  broad  shoals  and  gray  rocks,  fretting  the  bil- 
lows and  threatening  the  mariner.  Here  we  should  dis- 
cern a  ship  propelled  by  the  steady  wind  of  the  tropics, 
and  inhaKng  the  almost  visible  odors  which  diffuse  them- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    EEICSSON.  275 

selves  around  the  Spice  Islands  of  the  East ;  there  we 
should  behold  a  vessel  piercing  the  cold  barrier  of  the 
North,  struggling  among  hills  and  fields  of  ice,  and  con- 
lending  with  winter  in  his  own  everlasting  dominion. 
Nor  are  the  ships  of  man  the  only  travellers  we  shall  per- 
ceive upon  this  mighty  map  of  the  ocean.  Flocks  of  sea- 
birds  are  passing  and  repassing,  diving  for  their  food  or 
for  pastime,  migrating  from  shore  to  shore  with  unwearied 
wing  and  undeviating  instinct,  or  wheeling  and  swarming 
around  the  rocks  which  they  make  alive  and  vocal  by 
their  numbers  and  their  clanging  cries. 

"  We  shall  behold  new  wonders  and  riches  when  we 
investigate  the  sea-shore.  We  shall  find  both  beauty  for 
the  eye  and  food  for  the  body,  in  the  varieties  of  shell- 
fish which  adhere  in  myriads  to  the  rocks  or  form  their 
close  dark  burrows  in  the  sands.  In  some  parts  of  the 
world  we  shall  see  those  houses  of  stone  which  the  little 
coral-insect  rears  up  with  patient  industry  from  the  bot- 
tom of  the  waters,  till  they  grow  into  formidable  rocks 
and  broad  forests  whose  branches  never  wave  and  whose 
leaves  never  fall.  In  other  parts  we  shall  see  those  pale, 
glistening  pearls  which  adorn  the  crowns  of  princes  and 
are  woven  in  the  hair  of  beauty,  extorted  by  the  relent- 
less grasp  of  man  from  the  hidden  stores  of  ocean.  And 
spread  round  every  coast  there  are  beds  of  flowers  and 
thickets  of  plants,  which  the  dew  does  not  nourish,  and 
which  man  has.  not  sown,  nor  cultivated,  nor  reaped,  but 


276  LIFE   OF   JOHK   EEICSSON. 

whicli  seem  to  belong  to  the  floods  alone  and  the  denizens 
of  the  floods,  until  they  are  thrown  up  by  the  surges,  and 
we  discover  that  even  the  dead  spoils  of  the  fields  of  ocean 
may  fertilize  and  enrich  the  fields  of  earth.  They  have  a 
life,  and  a  nourishment,  and  an  economy  of  their  own ; 
and  we  know  little  of  them,  except  that  they  are  there,  in 
their  briny  nurseries,  reared  up  into  luxuriance  by  what 
would  kill,  like  a  mortal  poison,  the  vegetation  of  the 
land. 

"  There  is  mystery  in  the  sea. .  There  is  mystery  in 
its  depths.  It  is  unfathomed,  and,  perhaps,  unfathomable. 
Who  can  tell,  who  shall  know,  how  near  its  pits  run  down 
to  the  central  core  of  the  world?  Who  can  tell  what 
wells,  what  fountains,  are  there,  to  which  the  fountains 
of  the  earth  are  but  drops  ?  Who  shall  say  whence  the 
ocean  derives  those  inexhaustible  supplies  of  salt  which  so 
impregnate  its  waters  that  all  the  rivers  of  the  earth, 
pouring  into  it  from  the  time  of  the  creation,  have  not 
been  able  to  freshen  them  ?  What  undescribed  monsters, 
what  unimaginable  shapes,  may  be  roving  in  the  pro- 
foundest  places  of  the  sea,  never  seeking-^— and  perhaps, 
from  their  nature,  never  able  to  seek — ^the  upper  waters 
and  expose  themselves  to  the  gaze  of  man  !  What  glit- 
tering riches,  what  heaps  of  gold,  what  stores  of  gems, 
there  must  be  scattered  in  lavish  profusion  in  the  ocean's 
lowest  bed  !  What  spoils  from  all  climates,  what  works 
of  art  from  all  lands,  have  been  engulfed  by  the  insatiable 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  27Y 

and  reckless  waves !  Who  shall  go  down  to  examine 
and  reclaim  this  uncounted  and  idle  wealth  ?  Who  bears 
the  keys  of  the  deep  ? 

"  And  oh  !  yet  more  affecting  to  the  heart  and  mys- 
terious to  the  mind,  what  companies  of  human  beings  are 
locked  up  in  that  wide,  weltering,  unsearchable  grave  of 
the  sea !  Where  are  the  bodies  of  those  lost  ones  over 
whom  the  melancholy  waves  alone  have  been  chanting 
requiem?  What  shrouds  were  wrapped  round  the  limbs 
of  beauty,  and  of  manhood,  and  of  placid  infancy,  when 
they  were  laid  on  the  dark  floor  of  that  secret  tomb? 
Where  are  the  bones,  the  relics,  of  the  brave  and  the 
timid,  the  good  and  the  bad,  the  parent,  the  child,  the 
vdfe,  the  husband,  the  brother,  the  sister,  the  lover,  which 
have  been  tossed  and  scattered  and  buried  by  the  washing, 
wasting,  wandering  sea  ?  The  journeying  winds  may  sigh 
as  year  after  year  they  pass  over  their  beds.  The  solitary 
rain-cloud  may  weep  in  darkness  over  the  mingled  remains 
which  lie  strewed  in  that  unwonted  cemetery.  But  who 
shall  tell  the  bereaved  to  what  spot  their  affections  may 
cling  ?  And  where  shall  human  tears  be  shed  throughout 
that  solemn  sepulchre  ?  It  is  mystery  all.  When  shall 
it  be  resolved  ?  Who  shall  find  it  out  ?  Who  but  He  to 
whom  the  wildest  waves  listen  reverently,  and  to  whom 
all  nature  bows ;  He  who  shall  one  day  speak,  and  be 
heard  in  ocean's  profoundest  caves ;  to  whom  the  deep 
even  the  lowest  deep,  shall  give  up  its  dead,  when  the  sun 


2T8  LIFE    OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

shall  sicken,  and  the  earth  and  the  isles  shall  languish, 
and  the  heavens  be  rolled  together  like  a  scroll,  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  sea." 

"  Who  invented  and  first  used  ships?"  you  ask. 

This  question  will  never  be  answered.  Men  found 
means  of  crossing  rivers  and  inland  seas  before  the  his- 
torian recorded  the  attempts  at  navigation.  Indeed,  it  is 
probable  that  the  earliest  annals  of  life  upon  the  seas,  were 
lost  in  the  revolutions  and  fall  of  empires.  "  Imagination 
has  suggested  that  the  nautilus,  or  Portuguese  man-of-war, 
raising  its  tiny  sail  and  floating  off  before  the  breeze,  first 
pointed  out  to  man  the  use  which  might  be  made  of  the 
wind  as  a  propelling  force  ;  that  a  split  reed,  following 
the  current  of  some  tranquil  stream  and  transporting  a 
beetle  over  its  glassy  surface,  was  the  first  canoe,  while 
the  beetle  was  the  first  sailor.  Mythology  represents 
Hercules  as  sailing  in  a  boat  formed  of  the  hide  of  a  lion, 
and  translates  ships  to  the  skies,  where  they  still  figure 
among  the  constellations.  Fable  makes  Atlas  claim  the 
invention  of  the  oar,  and  gives  to  Tiphys,  the  pilot  of  the 
Argo,  the  invention  of  the  rudder.  The  attributing  of 
these  discoveries  and  improvements  to  particular  indi- 
viduals doubtless  afforded  pastime  to  poets  in  ages  when 
poetry  was  more  popular  than  history.  Instead  of  trust- 
ing to  these  fanciful  authorities,  we  may  form  a  very 
rational  theory  upon  the  matter  in  the  following  manner : 

"  Whether  it  was  an  insect  that  floated  on  a  leaf  across 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICRSON.  2Y9 

a  rivulet  and  was  stranded  on  the  bank,  or  a  beaver  carried 
down  a  river  upon  a  log,  or  a  bear  borne  away  upon  an 
iceberg,  that  first  awakened  man  to  the  conception  of 
trusting  himself  fearlessly  upon  the  water,  it  is  highly 
probable  that  he  learned  from  animals,  whose  natural 
element  it  is,  the  manner  of  supporting  his  body  upon  it 
and  of  forcing  his  way  through  it.  A  frog  darting  away 
from  the  rim  of  a  pond  and  striking  out  with  his  fore-legs 
may  have  suggested  swimming,  and  the  beaver  floating 
on  a  log  may  have  suggested  following  his  example.  The 
log  may  not  have  been  sufficiently  buoyant,  and  the  ad- 
venturer may  have  added  to  its  buoyancy  by  using  his 
arms  and  legs.  Even  to  this  day  the  Indians  of  our  own 
country  cross  a  rapid  stream  by  clasping  the  trunk  of  a 
tree  with  the  left  leg  and  arm  and  propelling  themselves 
with  the  right.  Thus  the  first  step  was  taken  ;  and  the 
second  was  either  to  place  several  logs  together,  thus 
forming  a  raft,  and  raising  its  sides,  or  to  make  use  of  a 
tree  hollowed  out  by  nature.  Many  trees  grow  hollow 
naturally,  such  as  oaks,  limes,  beeches,  and  willows  ;  and 
it  would  not  require  a  degree  of  adaptation  beyond  the 
capacity  of  a  savage,  to  fit  them  to  float  and  move  upon 
the  water.  The  next  step  was  probably  to  hollow  out  by 
art  a  sound  log,  thus  imitating  the  trunk  which  had  been 
eroded  by  time  and  decay.  And,  in  making  this  step 
from  the  sound  to  the  hollow  log,  the  primitive  mariners 
may  have  been  assisted  by  observing  how  an  empty  nut- 


280  LIFE   OF  JOHIJ  ERICSSON. 

shell  or  an  inverted  tortoise-sliell  floated  upon  the  water, 
preserving  their  inner  surface  dry  and  protecting  such 
objects  as  their  size  enabled  them  to  carry.  It  has  been 
aptly  remarked  that  this  first  step  was  the  greatest  of  all — 
'  for  the  transition  from  the  hollow  tree  to  the  ship-of-the- 
line  is  not  so  difiicult  as  the  transition  from  nonentity  to 
the  hollow  tree/ 

"  The  first  object  for  obtaining  motion  upon  the  water 
must  evidently  have  been  to  enable  the  navigator  to  cross 
a  river — ^not  to  ascend  or  descend  it ;  as  it  is  apparent  he 
would  not  seek  the  means  of  following  or  stemming  its 
current  while  the  same  purpose  could  be  more  easily 
served  by  walking  along  the  shore.  It  is  not  difficult  to 
suppose  that  the  oar  was  suggested  by  the  legs  of  a  frog 
or  the  fins  of  a  fish.  The  early  navigator,  seated  in  his 
hollow  tree,  might  at  first  seek  to  propel  himself  with  his 
hands,  and  might  then  artificially  lengthen  them  by  a 
piece  of  wood  fashioned  in  imitation  of  the  hand  and  arm 
— a  long  pole  terminating  in  a  thin  flat  blade.  Here  was 
the  origin  of  the  modern  row-boat,  one  of  the  most  grace- 
full  inventions  of  man. 

"  From  the  oar  to  the  rudder  the  transition  was  easy, 
for  the  oar  is  in  itself  a  rudder,  and  was  for  a  long  time  used 
as  one.  It  must  have  been  observed  at  an  early  day  that 
a  canoe  in  motion  was  diverted  from  its  direct  course  by 
plunging  an  oar  into  the  water  and  suffering  it  to  remain 
there.     It  must  have  been  observed,  too,  that  an  oar  in  or 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   ERICSSON.  281 

toward  the  stern  was  more  effective  in  giving  a  new  di- 
rection to  the  canoe  than  an  oar  in  any  other  place.  It 
was  a  natural  suggestion  of  prudence,  then,"  to  assign  this 
duty  to  one  particular  oarsman,  and  to  place  him  alto- 
gether at  the  stern. 

"  The  sail  is  not  so  easily  accounted  for.  An  ancient 
tradition  relates  that  a  fisherman  and  his  sweetheart,  al- 
lured from  the  shore  in  the  hope  of  discovering  an  island, 
and  surprised  by  a  tempest,  were  in  imminent  danger  of 
destruction.  Their  only  oar  was  wrenched  from  the  grasp 
of  the  fisherman,  and  the  frail  bark  was  thus  left  to  the 
mercy  of  the  waves.  The  maiden  raised  her  white  veil 
to  protect  herself  and  her  lover  from  the  storm  ;  the  wind, 
inflating  this  fragile  garment,  impelled  them  slowly  but 
surely  toward  the  coast.  Their  aged  sire,  the  tradition 
continues,  suddenly  seized  with  prophetic  inspiration,  ex- 
claimed, '  The  future  is  unfolded  to  my  view !  Art  is 
advancing  to  perfection !  My  children,  you  have  dis- 
covered a  powerful  agent  in  navigation.  All  nations  will 
cover  the  ocean  with  their  fleets  and  wander  to  distant 
regions.  Men,  differing  in  their  manners  and  separated 
by  seas,  will  disembark  upon  peaceful  shores,  and  import 
thence  foreign  science,  superfluities,  and  art.  Then  shall 
the  mariner  fearlessly  cruise  over  the  immense  abyss  and 
discover  new  lands  and  unknown  seas  !  ^  Though  we 
may  admire  the  foresight  of  this  patriarch,  we  cannot  ap- 
plaud him  for  choosing  a  moment  so  inopportune  for  ex- 


282  LIFE   OF   JOHN"   EEICSSON". 

ercising  his  peculiar  gift :  it  would  certainly  have  hecu 
more  natural  to  afford  some  comfort  to  his  weather- 
beaten  children.  The  legend  even  goes  on  to  state  that 
he  at  once  fixed  a  pole  in  the  middle  of  the  canoe,  and  at- 
taching to  it  a  piece  of  cloth,  invented  the  first  sail-boat. 
Mythology  assigns  a  different,  though  similar,  origin  to 
the  invention — Iris,  seeking  her  son  in  a  bark  which  she 
impelled  by  oars,  perceived  that  the  wind  in£ated  her 
garments  and  gently  forced  her  in  the  direction  in  which 
she  was  going." 

The  experience  of  the  Ericsson  family  when  steam 
was  introduced  into  navigation,  was  mentioned.  But 
you  may  way  vfish  to  know  more  of  the  man  next  to 
whom  stands  the  great  American  Swede  in  the  annals  of 
steam  to  the  present  time,  and  in  the  progress  of  naval 
science.  Robert  Fulton  was  born  nearly  forty  years  be- 
fore John  Ericsson,  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania. 
Like  the  miner-boy,  he  showed  in  childhood  a  taste  and 
genius  for  mechanics.  But  he  chose  the  artist's  more 
beautiful  work,  and  became  a  portrait  painter.  He  trav- 
elled in  England  and  France,  and  while  in  the  empire  of 
the  great  Napoleon,  he  conceived  a  vessel  which  would 
sail  by  steam  instead  of  canvas  and  the  wind.  It  is  a 
curious  fact  that  he  should  offer  his  invention  to  the  Em- 
peror to  meet  with  indifference,  and  Ericsson,  more  than 
fifty  years  later,  sent  a  model  of  his  Monitor,  with  a  like 
result,  to  Napoleon  III. !     Fulton  returned  to  the  young 


LIFE   or   JOHN   ERICSSON.  283 

Republic  in  December,  1806.  "  His  mind  was  now  occu- 
pied with  two  projects — ^the  invention  of  submarine  explo- 
sives and  the  construction  of  a  steamboat.  He  published 
a  work  entitled  '  Torpedo  War/  with  the  motto,  '  The 
liberty  of  the  seas  will  be  the  happiness  of  the  earth.' 
He  renewed  his  acquaintance  with  Chancellor  Livingston, 
whom  he  had  known  when  ambassador  to  Paris.  This 
gentleman  had  long  had  entire  faith  in  the  practicability 
of  steam-navigation,  and  as  early  as  1798  had  obtained 
from  the  Legislature  of  New  York  a  monopoly  of  all  such 
navigation  upon  the  waters  of  the  State,  provided  he 
would  within  twelve  months  build  a  boat  which  should 
go  four  miles  an  hour  by  steam.  When  they  met  in 
America,  in  1806,  the  two  entered  into  a  partnership  and 
commenced  the  construction  of  a  boat.  Finding  the  ex- 
penses unexpectedly  heavy,  they  offered  to  sell  one-third 
of  their  patent ;  but  no  one  would  invest  in  an  enterprise 
universally  deemed  hopeless.  The  boat  was  nevertheless 
launched,  in  the  spring  of  1807,  from  the  shipyard  of 
Charles  Brown,  on  the  East  E-iver.  She  was  supphed 
with  an  engine  built  in  England,  and  was  didven  by 
steam,  in  August,  from  the  New  York  side  to  the  Jersey 
shore.  The  incredulous  crowd  who  had  assembled  to 
laugh  stayed  to  wonder  and  applaud. 

"  The  Clermont  soon  after  sailed  for  Albanj^,  her  de- 
parture having  been  announced  in  the  newspapers  ay  a 
grand   and   unequalled   curiosity.      '  She    excited,'    says 


284:  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EEICSSON. 

Golden,  in  his  Life  of  Fulton,  '  tlie  astonishment  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  shores  of  the  Hudson,  many  of  whom 
had  not  heard  even  of  an  engine,  much  less  of  a  steam- 
boat. There  were  many  descriptions  of  the  effects  of  her 
first  appearance  upon  the  people  of  the  bank  of  the  river : 
some  of  these  were  ridiculous,  but  some  of  them  were  of 
such  a  character  as  nothing  but  an  object  of  real  grandeur 
could  have  excited.  She  was  described,  by  some  who 
had  indistinctly  seen  her  passing  in  the  night,  as  a  monster 
moving  on  the  waters,  defying  the  winds  and  tide,  and 
breathing  flames  and  smoke.  She  had  the  most  terrific 
appearance  from  other  vessels  which  were  navigating  the 
river  when  she  was  making  her  passage.  The  first  steam- 
boat— as  others  yet  do — ^used  dry  pine  wood  for  fuel, 
which  sends  forth  a  column  of  ignited  vapor  many  feet 
above  the  flue,  and  whenever  the  fire  is  stirred  a  galaxy 
of  sparks  fly  off,  and  in  the  night  have  a  very  brilliant 
and  beautiful  appearance.  This  uncommon  light  first  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  crews  of  other  vessels.  Not- 
withstanding the  wind  and  tide,  which  were  adverse  to  its 
approach,  they  saw  with  astonishment  that  it  was  rapidly 
coming  toward  them  ;  and  when  it  came  so  near  that  the 
noise  of  the  machinery  and  paddles  was  heard,  the  crews 
— if  what  was  said  in  the  newspapers  of  the  time  be  true — 
in  some  instances  shrunk  beneath  their  decks  from  the  ter- 
rific sight  and  left  their  vessels  to  go  on  shore,  whilst  others 
prostrated  themselves  and  besought  Providence  to  protect 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  285 

them  from  the  approaches  of  the  horrible  monster  which 
was  marching  on  the  tide  and  lighting  its  path  by  the  fires 
which  it  vomited.'  " 

You  will  follow  with  interest  the  history  of  this  first 
steamer — a  craft  which,  beside  the  Princeton  or  Dictator^ 
would  look  like  the  work  of  the  ancients,  or  of  the  half- 
civilized  Chinamen.  The  happy  inventor  thus  writes  of 
his  excursion  up  the  glorious  Hudson  :  "I  left  New  York 
on  Monday  at  one  o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Clermont,  the 
seat  of  Chancellor  Livingston,  at  one  o'clock  on  Tuesday : 
time,  twenty-four  hours ;  distance,  one  hundred  and  ten 
miles.  On  Wednesday,  I  departed  from  the  chancellor's 
at  nine  in  the  morning,  and  arrived  at  Albany  at  five  in 
the  afternoon:  time,  eight  hours;  distance,  forty  miles. 
The  sum  is  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  thirty-two 
hours — ^equal  to  near  five  miles  an  hour. 

"  On  Thursday,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  I  left 
Albany,  and  arrived  at  the  chancellor's  at  six  in  the  even- 
ing :  I  started  from  thence  at  seven,  and  arrived  at  New 
York  at  four  in  the  afternoon  :  time,  thirty  hours  ;  space 
run  through,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles — equal  to  five 
miles  an  hour.  Throughout  my  whole  way,  both  going 
and  returning,  the  wind  was  ahead  :  no  advantage  could 
be  derived  from  my  sail :  the  whole  has  therefore  been 
performed  by  the  power  of  the  steam  engine. 

"  In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  friends,  Fulton  wrote :  '  I 
overtook  many  sloops  and  schooners  beating  to  windward, 


286  LIFE   OF   JOHIS-   EEICSSOIT. 

and  parted  with,  tliem  as  if  they  had  been  at  anchor.  The 
power  of  propelling  boats  hj  steam  is  now  fully  proved. 
The  morning  I  left  New  York  there  were  not  perhaps 
thirty  persons  who  believed  that  the  boat  would  even 
move  one  mile  an  hour,  or  be  of  the  least  utility ;  and 
while  we  were  putting  off  from  the  wharf,  which  was 
crowded  with  spectators,  I  heard  a  number  of  sarcastic 
remarks.  This  is  the  way  in  which  ignorant  men  com- 
pliment what  they  call  philosophers  and  projectors.  .  .  . 
Although  the  prospect  of  personal  emolument  has  been 
some  inducement  to  me,  yet  I  feel  infinitely  more  pleasure 
in  reflecting  on  the  immense  advantage  that  my  country 
will  derive  from  the  invention.' 

"  The  Ckrmont  was  now  advertised  as  a  regular  pas- 
senger-boat upon  the  Hudson.  She  met  with  numerous 
accidents  during  the  season ;  and  her  obvious  defects 
would  have  been  remedied  by  the  application  of  as  obvi- 
ous improvements  by  Fulton  himself,  had  not  other  per- 
sons anticipated  him  by  taking  out  patents  for  improve- 
ments which  they  themselves  proposed.  They  thus  caused 
him  infinite  annoyance,  and  even  contested  his  right  as  an 
inventor.  Shipmasters,  too,  who  looked  upon  his  boat  as 
an  intruder  upon  their  domain,  ran  their  vessels  purposely 
foul  of  her  on  more  than  one  occasion.  The  Legislature 
saw  fit  to  counteract  the  effects  of  this  hostility  by  passing 
an  act  prolonging  Livingston  and  Fulton's  privilege  five 
years  for  every  additional  boat  established — ^the  whole 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   ERICSSON.  287 

time,  however,  not  to  exceed  thirty  years.  It  alao  made 
all  combinations  to  destroy  the  Clermont  offences  punish- 
able by  fine  and  imprisonment. 

"  Thus  protected,  the  Clermont  ran  throughout  the 
season,  always  well  laden  with  passengers.  In  the  winter 
she  was  enlarged  and  improved.  The  wheel-guards  were 
strengthened,  and  became  a  prominent  and  essential  feat- 
ure of  the  boat.  The  rudder  was  replaced  by  one  of 
much  larger  dimensions,  and  a  steering-wheel  toward 
the  bow  was  substituted  for  the  ordinary  tiller.  The  ac- 
commodations for  passengers  were  made  much  more  com- 
fortable— luxurious  even — and  the  public  taste  was  con- 
sulted in  the  application  of  numerous  coats  of  rather 
gaudy  paint.  She  then  commenced  her  trips  for  the 
season  of  1808.  She  started  regularly  at  the  appointed 
hour — at  first  much  to  the  discontent  of  travellers  who 
had  before  been  waited  for  by  both  sloops  and  stages. 
At  the  end  of  the  season  the  Clermont  was  altogether  too 
small  for  the  crowds  who  thronged  to  take  passage.  Two 
boats,  the  Gar  of  Neptune  and  the  Paragon,  were  there- 
fore soon  added  to  the  line. 

"  Fulton,  menaced  by  constant  contestation  of  his 
rights,  took  out  a  patent  in  1809  from  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, and  another,  for  improvements,  in  1811.  His 
system  was  so  simple — the  adaptation  of  paddle-wheela 
to  the  axle  of  the  crank  of  Watt's  engine — ^that  it  seemed 
then,  as  it  has  proved  since,  almost  impossible  by  any 


288  LIFE   OF  JOHK"   EEICSSON. 

specifications  effectually  to  protect  it.  The  famous  Pen- 
dulum Company  caused  Fulton  for  a  time  much  trouble. 
They  built  a  boat,  the  wheels  of  which  were  to  be  moved 
by  a  pendulum.  ,  While  she  was  upon  the  stocks  and  the 
wheels  were  resisted  only  by  the  air,  the  labor  of  a  few 
men  Inade  them  turn  regularly  and  rapidly ;  but  when 
she  was  launched,  and  the  pendulum  encountered  the  re- 
sistance of  the  water,  neither  pendulum,  wheels,  nor  boat 
would  stir.  The  Pendulum  Company  were  aghast  at  this 
phenomenon,  and  clearly  saw  that  if  the  boat  was  to  be 
moved  by  the  wheels,  and  the  wheels  by  the  pendulum, 
something  must  be  devised  of  sufficient  power  to  move 
the  pendulum.  There  was  nothing,  evidently,  but  the 
steam  engine ;  and  so  they  copied  Fulton's.  Lawsuits 
followed ;  and  in  his  argument  in  behalf  of  Fulton  Mr. 
Emmet  thus  spoke  of  the  Pendulum  gentlemen  :  '  They 
are  men  who  never  waste  health  and  life  in  midnight 
vigils  and  painful  study ;  who  never  dream  of  science  in 
the  broken  slumbers  of  an  exhausted  mind;  who  bestow 
upon  the  construction  of  a  steamboat  just  as  much  math 
ematical  calculation  and  philosophical  research  as  on  the 
purchase  of  a  sack  of  wheat  or  a  barrel  of  ashes.'  Ful- 
ton gained  his  cause,  and  the  boat  which  was  to  go  by 
clock-work  was  prohibited  from  going  even  by  steam. 

In  1812,  Fulton  built  the  Fire-Fly  ;  and,  as  the  town 
of  Newburg,  half-way  to  Albany,  offered  sufficient  traffic 
to  support  at  least  one  boat,  she  was  placed  upon  that 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  289 

route.  In  the  same  year  he  constructed  two  ferry-boats 
for  crossing  the  Hudson,  making  them  with  rudder  and 
bow  at  either  end.  He  also  contrived  floating  docks  for 
their  reception,  and  a  method  of  stopping  them  without 
concussion.  In  1813,  he  built  a  steam- vessel  of  four  hun- 
dred tons  and  unusual  strength,  to  ply  in  Long  Island 
Sound  between  New  York  and  New  Haven.  She  was 
the  first  steamboat  constructed  with  a  round  bottom.  We 
quote  a  passage  referring  to  her  from  a  work  published 
in  1817  :  '  During  a  great  part  of  her  route  she  would  be 
as  much  exposed  as  she  could  be  on  the  ocean :  it  was 
therefore  necessary  to  make  her  a  perfect  sea-boat.  She 
passes  daily,  and  at  all  times  of  the  tide,  the  dangerous 
strait  of  Hell-Gate,  where  for  the  distance  of  nearly  a 
mile  she  often  encounters  a  current  running  at  the  rate 
of  at  least  six  miles  an  hour.  For  some  distance  she  has 
within  a  few  yards  of  her,  on  each  side,  rocks  and  whirl- 
pools w^hich  rival  Scylla  and  Charybdis  even  as  they  are 
poetically  described.  This  passage,  previously  to  its 
being  navigated  by  this  vessel,  was  always  supposed  to 
be  impassable  except  at  certain  stages  of  the  tide ;  and 
many  a  shipwreck  has  been  occasioned  by  a  small  mis- 
take in  the  time.  The  boat  passing  through  these  whirl- 
pools with  rapidity,  while  the  angry  waters  are  foaming 
against  her  bows  and  appear  to  raiee  themselves  in  obsti- 
nate resistance  to  her  passage,  is  a  proud  triumph  of  hu- 
man ingenuity.     The  owners,  as  the  highest  tribute  they 


290  LIFE    OF   JOHN   ERICSSON. 

had  in  their  power  to  offer  to  his  genius,  and  as  an  evi- 
dence of  the  gratitude  thej  owed  him,   called  her  the 

Fult07l. 

"  Early  in  1814,  the  United  States  and  England  being 
at  war,  Fulton  conceived  the  idea  of  a  steam  vessel-of- 
war,  capable  of  carrying  a  strong  battery,  with  furnaces 
for  redhot  shot,  and  sailing  four  miles  an  hour.  Congress 
authorized  the  construction  of  such  a  floating  battery,  and 
the  keel  was  laid  on  the  18th  of  June.  The  vessel  was 
launched  on  the  27th  of  October  the  same  year,  in  the 
midst  of  excited  ^and  applauding  throngs.  Before  she 
sailed,  however,  her  engineer  and  builder  had  been  re- 
moved to  another  sphere :  Fulton  died  on  the  24th  of 
February,  1815.  The  Legislature  paid  an  unusual 
tribute  to  his  memory  :  they  rest)lved  to  wear  mourning 
for  three  weeks.  This  manifestation  of  regret  for  the 
loss  of  a  man  who  had  never  held  office  nor  served  his 
country  in  any  public  capacity,  was  entirely  unpre- 
cedented. 

"  On  the  4th  of  July,  the  steam  frigate  made  a  trial 
trip,  and,  with  her  engines  alone,  sailed  fifty-three  miles 
in  eight  hours  and  twenty  minutes.  The  following  de- 
scription of  the  Fulton  the  Firsts  as  she  was  called,  is 
given  by  the  committee  appointed  to  examine  her  in 
behalf  of  Congress :  '  She  is  a  structure  resting  on  two 
boats  and  keels  separated  from  end  to  end  by  a  channel 
fifteen  feet  wide  and  sixty-six  feet  long.     One  boat  con- 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  291 

tains  the  caldrons  of  copper  to  prepare  her  steam  ;  the 
cylinder  of  iron,  its  piston,  lever,  and  wheels,  occupy  part 
of  the  other.  The  water-wheel  revolves  in  the  space  be- 
tween them.  The  main  or  gun  deck  supports  the  arma- 
ment, and  is  protected  by  a  parapet,  four  feet  ten  inches 
thick,  of  solid  timber,  pierced  by  embrasures.  Through 
thirty  portholes  as  many  thirty-two  pounders  are  intended 
to  fire  redliot  shot,  which  can  be  heated  with  great  safety 
and  convenience.  Her  upper  or  spar  deck,  upon  which 
several  thousand  men  might  parade,  is  encompassed  by  a 
bulwark,  which  affords  safe  quarters  :  she  is  rigged  with 
two  stout  masts,  each  of  which  supports  a  large  lateen 
yard  and  sails  :  she  has  tw^o  bowsprits  and  jibs,  and  four 
rudders,  one  at  each  extremity  of  each  boat,  so  that  she 
can  be  steered  with  either  end  foremost :  her  machinery 
is  calculated  for  the  addition  of  an  engine  which  will  dis- 
charge an  immense  column  of  water,  which  it  is  intended 
to  throw  upon  the  decks  and  through  the  portholes  of  an 
enemy,  and  thereby  deluge  her  armament  and  ammunition. 
If  in  addition  to  all  this  Ave  suppose  her  to  be  furnished, 
according  to  Mr.  Fulton's  intention,  with  hundred-pound 
Columbiads,  two  suspended  from  each  bow  so  as  to  dis- 
charge a  ball  of  that  size  into  an  enemy's  ship  ten  or 
twelve  feet  below  her  water-line,  it  must  be  allowed  that 
she  has  the  appearance,  at  least,  of  being  the  most  for- 
midable engine  for  warfare  that  human  ingenuity  has 
contrived.* 


292  LIFE   OF   JOHN   EKICSSON. 

"  Sucli  was  the  first  step  toward  the  establishment  of  a 
steam-navy.  Forty  years  afterwards,  George  Steers  built 
the  propeller-frigate  Niagara  ;  and  the  reader,  by  compar- 
ing the  two  vessels,  will  have  an  adequate  idea  of  the 
immense  strides  made  in  naval  mechanics  and  engineer- 
ing during  the  lapse  of  less  than  half  a  century.  In 
Europe  the  size  and  qualities  of  the  Fulton  the  First  were 
at  the  time  ludicrously  exaggerated,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  passage  from  a  Scotch  treatise  on  steam- 
ships. After  magnifying  her  proportions  threefold,  the 
author  continues  :  '  The  thickness  of  her  sides  is  thirteen 
feet  of  alternate  oak  plank  and  cork  wood :  she  carries 
forty-four  guns,  four  of  which  are  hundred-pounders ; 
quarter-deck  and  forecastle  guns,  forty-four  pounders : 
and,  further  to  annoy  an  enemy  attempting  to  board,  can 
discharge  one  hundred  gallons  of  boiling  water  in  a  min- 
ute, and,  by  mechanism,  brandishes  three  hundred  cut- 
lasses with  the  utmost  regularity  over  her  gunwales, 
works  also  an  equal  number  of  heavy  iron  spikes  of  great 
length,  darting  them  from  her  sides  with  prodigious  force 
and  withdrawing  them  every  quarter  of  a  minute  ! '  " 

We  cannot  look  into  the  future  of  our  country  on  land 
or  on  the  sea  ;  but  whatever  progress  in  naval  affairs  we 
may  make,  it  is  quite  certain  that  some  of  Captain  Erics- 
son's inventions  will  never  be  essentially  improved,  nor 
supplanted  by  other  creations  of  genius.  The  propeller 
is  preeminent  among  them. 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  293 

It  is  not  improbable  that  he  will  yet  so  perfect  the 
Monitors,  that  for  warfare  and  defence  they  will  have  no 
rivals  while  the  ocean  is  darkened  with  the  smoke  of 
battle. 

While  you  read  of  the  vast  armies  and  great  battles 
of  the  present  war,  you  may  have  forgotten,  if  you  ever 
read  in  ancient  history,  what  immense  armies  met  in 
battle  on  land  and  sea  centui-ies  ago,  and  how  they 
fought. 

Sennacherib,  the  Bible  tells  us,  lost  in  a  single  night 
185,000  men  by  the  destroying  angel. 

The  city  of  Thebes  had  a  hundred  gates,  and  could 
send  out  at  each  gate  10,000  fighting  men  and  200 
chariots — in  all  1,000,000  men  and  20,000  chariots. 

The  army  of  Terrah,  king  of  Ethiopia,  consisted  of 
1,000,000  men  and  300  chariots  of  war. 

Sesostris,  king  of  Egypt,  led  against  his  enemies 
600,000  men,  24,000  cavalry,  and  27  scythe-armed 
chariots — 1491  b.  c. 

Hamilcar  went  from  Carthage  and  landed  near  Pa- 
lermo. He  had  a  fleet  of  2,000  ships  and  3,000  small 
vessels,  and  a  land  force  of  200,000  men.  At  the  battle 
at  which  he  was  defeated  150,000  were  slain. 

Ninus,  the  Assyrian  king,  about  2,200  years  b.  c,  led 
against  the  Bactrians  an  army  of  1,700^000  horses,  and 
6,000  chariots  armed  with  scythes. 

Semiramis  employed  2,000,000  men  in  building  Baby- 


294  LIFE   OF  JOHN   EEICSSON. 

Ion.  She  took  105,000  prisoners  at  the  Indus,  and  sank 
1,000  boats. 

A  short  time  after  the  taking  of  Babylon,  the  forces 
of  Cyprus  consisted  of  600,000  foot  and  120,000  horses, 
and  2,000  chariots  armed  with  scythes. 

An  army  of  Cambyses,  50,000  strong,  was  buried  up 
in  the  desert  sands  of  Africa,  by  the  south  wind. 

"When  Xerxes  arrived  at  Thermopylse,  his  land  and 
sea  forces  amounted  to  2,614,610,  exclusive  of  servants, 
eunuchs,  women,  sutlers,  &c.,  in  all  numbering  5,282,220. 
So  say  Herodotus,  Plutarch,  and  Isocrates. 

The  army  of  Artaxerxes,  before  the  battle  of  Conoxa, 
amounted  to  1,200,000.  10,000  horses  and  100,000  foot 
fell  in  the  fatal  field  of  Issus. 

When  Jerusalem  was  taken  by  Titus,  1,000,000  men 
perished  in  various  ways. 

The  army  of  Tamerlane  is  said  to  have  amounted 
to  1,600,000,  and  that  of  his  antagonist,  Bajazet,  to 
1,000,000. 

But  the  navies  referred  to  were  rude  enough  com- 
pared with  our  large,  beautiful,  and  formidable  ships  of 
war.  And  no  powder-smoke  covered  the  contending 
hosts  —  no  shells  screamed  through  the  air,  scattering 
human  limbs  on  every  side. 

Oh !  we  should  devoutly  hope  and  pray  that  the  re- 
ligion of  the  Cross  may  soon  banish  these  scenes  from 
the  earth,  and  furnish  peaceful  employment  only  to  genius 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  295 

like  that  of  Ericsson — covering  our  seas  with  the  white 
wings  of  ships  bearing  messengers  of  God's  love  and 
mercy,  and  the  products  of  climes  under  the  sceptre  of  a 
King,  whose  reign  is  the  highest,  purest  freedom  for  man- 
kind. Then  will  the  "  mournful  numbers"  of  the  follow- 
ing touching  lament  no  more  be  heard  in  our  land  : 

A    MOTHER'S    STORY. 

BY   EUGENE    H.    MUNDAY. 

Amid  the  throng  that  gathers  where 

The  mail  dispenses  joy  and  care, 

I  saw  a  woeful  woman  stand — 

A  letter  falling  from  her  hand  : 

She  spoke  no  word,  she  breathed  no  sigh ; 

Her  bloodless  cheek,  her  sad,  fixed  eye, 

And  pallid,  quivering  lips  apart. 

Showed  hopeless  grief  had  seized  her  heart 

I  spoke ;  a  word  of  kindness  cheers 

The  heavy  heart,  and  heaven-sent  tears 

Refresh  the  eye  dry  sorrow  sears. 

"  Ah !  sir,  my  boy !  my  brave,  bright  boy ! " 

In  broken  voice,  she  said ; 
"  My  only  son  !  my  only  joy ! 

My  brave,  bright  boy  is  dead  ! " 

"  Sorrow  is  sacred  ! "   and  the  eye 
That  looks  on  grief  is  seldom  dry : 
I  listened  to  her  piteous  moan, 
Then  followed  to  her  dwelling  lone, 


296  LIFE   OF  JOKN-   EEICSSON. 

Where,  sheltered  from  the  biting  cold, 
She  thus  her  simple  story  told  : 

"  My  grandfather,  sir,  for  freedom  died, 
On  Eutaw's  bloody  plain ; 
My  father  left  his  youthful  bride, 
And  fell  at  Limdy's  Lane. 

"  And  when  my  boy,  with  burning  brow, 
Told  of  the  nation's  shame — , 
How  Sumter  fell — oh  !  how,  sir,  how 
Could  blood  like  mine  be  tame ! 

"  I  blessed  him ;  and  I  bade  him  go- 
Bade  him  our  honor  keep  ; 
He  proudly  went  to  meet  the  foe ; 
Left  me  to  pray  and  weep. 

"  In  camp — on  march — of  picket  roimd— 
He  did  his  equal  share ; 
And  stiU  the  call  to  battle  found 
My  brave  boy  always  there. 

"  And  when  the  fleet  was  all  prepared 
To  sail  upon  the  main. 
He  all  his  comrades'  feelings  shared — 
But  fever  scorched  his  brain ! 

"  He  told  the  general  he  would  ne'er 
From  toil  or  danger  shrink. 
But,  though  the  waves  he  did  not  fear, 
It  chilled  his  heart  to  think 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    ERICSSON.  297 

"  How  drear  the  flowerless  grave  must  be, 
Beneath  the  ocean's  foam, 
And  that  he  knew  'twould  comfort  me 
To  have  him  die  at  home. 

"  They  tell  me  that  the  general's  eye 
With  tears  did  overflow : 
God  bless  the  brave  man  !  with  a  sigh 
He  gave  him  leave  to  go. 

"  Quick  down  the  vessel's  side  came  he ; 
Joy  seemed  to  kill  his  pain  ; 
'  Comrades  ! '  he  cried,  '  I  yet  shall  see 
My  mother's  face  again  ! ' 

"  The  boat  came  bounding  o'er  the  tide ; 
He  sprang  upon  the  strand ; 
God's  will  be  done  !  my  bright  boy  died, 
His  furlough  in  his  hand  I  " 

Ye,  who  this  artless  story  read, 
If  Pity  in  your  bosoms  plead— 

And  "  Heaven  has  blessed  your  store"— 
If  broken-hearted  woman  meek, 
Can  win  your  sympathy — go,  seek 

That  childless  widow's  door ! 


THE   END. 


DATE  DUE 

i 

UNIVERSITY  PRODUCTS,  INC.    #859-5503 

BOSTON   COLLEGE 


3   9031    026    17926   7 


